Helping Ukraine

Bertram Zarins, MD

In 1944 the Russians invaded Latvia. I was two years old. Our family escaped in a small boat to Sweden and we came to America. I am forever grateful for the assistance we received.

The Ukrainians now face the same fate. Of three million Ukrainian refugees, 5,000 have arrived in Latvia and more are coming.

In 1990 my brother and I started a non-profit foundation, the Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) to help the newly independent Latvia with emergency medical aid. After the crisis was over, we continued to help the Latvians improve their medical system. In the past 20 years the LMF switched to education and has awarded $382,000 in travelling fellowships to 82 young doctors.

Now, new needs have arisen and we are re-directing the LMF to provide emergency assistance to Ukrainian refugees. The Latvian Medical Foundation will assist Ukrainian medical personnel who have come to Latvia and will work to help more resettle in Latvia. The LMF will help the refugees with their medical care expenses and other needs. We will provide financial support ($1,000) to Ukrainian war refugees who have received a residence visa in Latvia and will work in one of the Latvian healthcare facilities. More than 100 medical professionals have recieved our support. We will provide this support, in cooperation with the Latvian Medical Association, Latvian hospitals and state institutions, so that the aid reaches those who need it more quickly.

Latvian surgeons have gone to Ukraine to help on the ground and LMF will send necessary medical equipment to them.

If you would like to help, please send a donation here or to: Latvian Medical Foundation, C/O Bertram Zarins, M.D, P.O. Box 7, Marion, MA 02738 USA.

Thank you for your support.

The LMF continues its support for Ukraine and, along with the public benefit organization the association “Friendship between Ukraine and Latvia”, has already carried out a humanitarian project – delivering cargo to Ukrainian hospitals treating wounded soldiers. The humanitarian shipment included special hospital beds, mattresses and other necessities. in November 2024, 3.4 tonnes of cargo was delivered to Dnipro hospital. Jūrmala City Municipality and Riga Rotari Club, also took part in the project. LMF provided transport costs. The association has a circle of supporters, especially they are proud to be supported by the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Christopher Robinson. Founder of Association Valeriy Oleniychuk says a big thank to LMF and prof. Bertram Zarin about support Ukraine.

Foto: Volunteers and humanitarian cargo, 2024

Kamena Kaidaka

Ukraine, war, freedom, help – these are 2022’s most commonly used words. And behind these words are events and people.

Throughout this year, the Latvian Medical Foundation, which was set up 30 years ago by doctors Bertram and Kristaps Zarins (USA), has helped financially those suffering from Russia’s attack on Ukraine. If the figures are calculated, EUR 173 000 has been donated to support Ukraine. However, the unspeakable support has been equally significant, as has been shown by the many warm words of gratitude from the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian war refugees – 150 health professionals working in Latvian medical institutions – have received the support of the fund.

In cooperation with one of the first volunteer couriers, Peter Dimants LMF was funded and delivered to Ukraine a fully equipped ambulance. Referring to the request of the Wound and Lay Association, the Foundation paid for the transportation of the injured to Latvia, where they were provided with highly qualified medical assistance. LMF donated for the medical care of Ukrainian residents, coordinated by the P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital Development Society.

Close and constructive cooperation has been established with the Latvian charity fund Ziedot.lv, which is responsible for the most acute needs of Ukraine. The Board of LMF decided to financially support the dedicated Latvian doctors, Martin Malzubris, and Olaf Libermanis, who have travelled to Ukraine to treat the injured from the first days of the war.

It is a real pleasure that Latvia has also assessed the performance of doctors. On November 18, the President of Latvia handed out the highest Latvian State awards to 90 distinguished personalities. Order of the Three Stars was received by Olaf Libermanis – microsurgeon, head of the “Wound Clinic” – for the excellent work in microsurgery and self-defence, providing assistance to Ukrainian soldiers injured in the war. Order of the Three Stars was received by Martin Malzubris, a traumatologist-orthopedist, head of the Traumatology and orthopedics Hospital Traumatology Centre, for the excellent work in trauma and reconstructive surgery and self-defence, providing assistance to the soldiers of Ukraine who were injured in the war.

Latvian society also assessed the self-denial of both Latvian doctors. Olaf Libermanis and Martin Malzubris are the recipients of the “Humanity and Courage” nomination for “Latvian Glory of Latvia” this year.

Future plans for Latvian doctors are to continue providing reconstructive microsurgery assistance to hospitals in Ukraine, continuing staff training. Training modules for military trauma and reconstructive microsurgery are also being developed aimed at creating a simple and efficient training system.

The war continues and will need support for all those who suffer the hardest of it. It will be necessary to complement the professional skills of doctors by providing training grants, and there will be needs we don’t know about right now.

The Latvian Medical Foundation says a great thank to all donors who support the fund!

A bright and peaceful Christmas waiting time: these words now have a really new and much deeper sound.

Peace over the ground!