First Lady of Lithuania Met with Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals

On February 27, the First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė, met at the Presidential Palace with a delegation of Ukrainian healthcare professionals.

The First Lady emphasized that during the four years of war Ukrainian medical institutions have repeatedly come under attack and suffered destruction, many healthcare professionals have been killed, yet Ukraine’s healthcare system has withstood the pressure and continues to function. According to the First Lady, healthcare professionals face many challenges, as Ukrainian society as a whole lives under constant stress, while war veterans and their families encounter serious issues of reintegration and mental health.

“On the path of today’s trials, timely reforms are essential. If Lithuania’s experience and assistance become that rational foundation capable of saving many lives, if it is like a seed from a Motanka doll that helps rebirth and renewal, strengthening your country’s healthcare system and all of Ukraine, enabling you to resist an aggressor whose nature and actions do not change for ages and which learns nothing, then together we will achieve a meaningful victory,” Diana Nausėdienė said.

This is not the first visit by Ukrainian specialists – in particular, healthcare professionals from the Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro visited Lithuania last December. Six Lithuanian medical teams also visited the Mechnikov Hospital and worked there. Such cooperation between specialists from the two countries allows them to exchange experience, adopt best practices, and helps Ukraine on its path toward membership in the European Union.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Lithuania has provided more than €7 million in humanitarian assistance in the form of medical supplies and equipment, medicines, personal protective equipment, and other essential items. Lithuania also receives wounded Ukrainian servicemen for rehabilitation. In addition, Lithuania launched in Ukraine a rehabilitation and reintegration program for people wounded or affected by the war – €15 million have been allocated to restore infrastructure and introduce innovative, comprehensive medical and psychiatric services in rehabilitation centers in Dnipro, Lviv, and Zhytomyr.

Diana Nausėdienė has been the First Lady of Lithuania since 2019. She actively supports Ukrainians and has visited Ukraine several times during Russia’s full-scale war. In particular, she visited Bucha and Irpin in 2022 after their de-occupation. Diana Nausėdienė has participated in all Summits of First Ladies and Gentlemen.