Egils Levits thanked health workers for selfless service during COVID-19 pandemic and pointed out: ‘We found ourselves in a situation where we did not have all the right answers to questions about virus and its side effects, we were not fully aware of what virus can cause, but we were lucky to have people who rose to the challenge: public sector workers, health workers, members of the society who helped limit the damage, contain virus. They tackled issues one by one, expertly, calmly and efficiently.’
President also pointed out that current crisis is a wake-up call and ‘Latvia must restore the pride and prestige of healthcare’.
Concert organised by Chancery of the President, Daina Markova and HDPD Productions & Dreams was supported by Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (Latvian Mobile Phone) and live streamed on LMT Straume media platform.
Speech by President of Latvia, Egils Levits, at the concert ‘Together’ for health workers Riga Castle Festival Hall, 16 July 2020
Dear health workers, Madam Minister, ladies and gentlemen, and all our viewers,
Tonight we have physically and virtually gathered in the Riga Castle Festival Hall. A place where the ceiling is adorned with gold framed paintings that show pivotal moments of our history.
We do not know whether someday our ancestors will want to create similar reminders of history of the pandemic, but we do know that it changed the history of the world. Latvia and the whole world literally ground to a halt. We can already see pieces of art and culture being created in Latvia and other countries of the world to eternalise our gratitude to doctors. Thank you for your selfless service!
I want to thank nurses, paramedics, doctors, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Riga East University Hospital, its laboratories and Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases. Thank you, Riga Pauls Stradiņš University Hospital and Children’s University Hospital! Thank you, Ministry of Health, Crisis Response Coordination Group, State Chancellery, National Health Service, Health Inspectorate and State Medicines Agency! Thank you, regional hospitals! Thank you, E. Gulbis Laboratory and Central Laboratory. Thank you, Latvian Medical Association!
Covid-19 crisis was a challenge to us as a country, as a society, and as a global community. And Latvia has done well to cope with the crisis. We see that the pandemic is still growing. It is far from over. We also see that our conduct, our government’s conduct, strict abidance by expert recommendations, and especially selflessness of our healthcare workers, allows us to be more optimistic about the future than many other countries in Europe and the world that still face a lot of uncertainty.
We found ourselves in a situation where we did not have all the right answers to questions about virus and its side effects, we were not fully aware of what virus can cause, but we were lucky to have people who rose to the challenge: public sector workers, health workers, members of the society who helped limit the damage, contain virus. They tackled issues one by one, expertly, calmly and efficiently. Our healthcare sector did all it takes to contain the virus. Crisis communication during the pandemic was also very efficient.
Healthcare professional is one of the most prestigious professions in the world. Lives of people depend on healthcare workers, doctors, nurses and auxiliary medical personnel. Their actions determine whether a person will make it or not. We were constantly reminded of this alarming truth during the current crisis. We need to make sure Latvian healthcare workers are as proud and respected as elsewhere.
We cannot endlessly rely on people’s enthusiasm and kindness. A nurse or a doctor that works several jobs and is exhausted will not be able to perform on the best professional level, and that will have impact on all of us. We need to reform healthcare. We postponed the reform due to crisis, but we need to shift the focus back and solve the many chronic problems that plague the whole system, such as infrastructure, salaries and other issues.
But, tonight, you take a break and let us show our gratitude. This concert is a tribute to all Latvian healthcare workers. Those who have safely joined us here tonight and everyone who is watching us on their screens while on a night shift.
We are deeply grateful and respectful of your selfless service. We are safe in the knowledge that we have someone to lean on. It is a very warm feeling. So, thank you on my and my wife’s behalf!
Tonight’s concert would not have been possible without wonderful artists and creative minds that represent our culture. Thank you to tenor Aleksandrs Antoņenko and pianist Reinis Zariņš for joining us tonight. Enjoy the show!
