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Transcript/Script((TITLE: TV LATVIA UKRAINE – Andrejevs
HEAD: Ukrainian physicians find homes – and jobs – in Latvia
PUBLISHED AT: 10/xx/2024
BYLINE: Vladislav Andrejevs
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Riga, Latvia
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vladislavs Andrejevs
PRODUCER: Yuriy Zakrevskiy
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA + TBD
PLATFORMS: TVR
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
Video reference:
Links:
TRT: 3:18
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR'S NOTE:
((INTRO:))
[[Over 160,000 Ukrainians fled their home country and came to the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia since the Russian invasion. Physicians were among the 50 thousand or so refugees who came to Latvia. Vladislavs Andrejevs spoke with some of them in Riga. Anna Rice narrates his story.]]
((NARRATION))
This is the branch office of a city medical center in one of Riga’s residential neighborhoods. This location alone employs four physicians from Ukraine – they all fled the war and managed to find jobs in their chosen profession in Latvia.
((NATS)) ((Patient being seen)) ((RUS)) ((Female doc))
“OK, let’s take a look at your ears!”
((NARRATION))
Dr. Irina Nikolaeva was born in Latvia, but her family moved to Ukraine in the 19-90's. Her older brother had remained in Latvia to work, so when Russia invaded Ukraine, Nikolaeva left Odesa and came to stay with him here in the capital, Riga.
((Dr. Irina Nikolaeva, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“The invasion happened, and every day I thought it would be over any day, and I would come home! But nothing was over, and I just realized I needed to keep living my life here.”
((NARRATION))
Nikolaeva wanted to do more than just live; she wanted to work. As a physician who specializes in ear and throat diseases, it was relatively easy – she just needed to confirm her Ukrainian medical diploma, which takes a few months, and start learning Latvian.
((RADIO: Albina Kovalskaya is the director of the Bolderaja Medical Center, where Nikolaeva works.)
((Albina Kovalskaya, Bolderaja Medical Center)) ((RUS))
“When Ukrainian doctors would come here, we were telling ourselves we needed to help. I think they are amazing. And of course they were afraid. It’s a different medical school here, a different approach – but they truly showed themselves to be top-class specialists.”
((NARRATION))
Since the start of Russia’s invasion, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have welcomed over 160,000 Ukrainian refugees. About 50-thousand of those came to Latvia, and one-fifth of those have managed to find an official job.
((Dr. Irina Nikolaeva, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“It’s a different country, everything is different here. For a bit, I did feel anxious, but then you start working – and boom, it’s gone. People here have the same noses, the same ears and eyes and heads.”
((NARRATION))
Ophthalmologist Dmitry Chigrinov says it was relatively easy for him to find work as well.
His hometown in Ukraine was destroyed in the fighting so, he says, his decision to move to Latvia was an easy one.
((Dr. Dmitry Chigrinov, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“I was adapting for the first month I think, then things became easier, better. I’m learning Latvian, and while I can’t get myself understood very easily yet, I’m working on it. Nurses help, so we’ll get through this.”
((NARRATION))
Mariupol native Nadezhda Shupik was still a student when Russia invaded. But now, after six years at the National Medical Institute in Kyiv and three years of internship, she is an O-B-G-Y-N - and now a job in Latvia.
((Dr. Nadezhda Shupik, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“My parents are still in Ukraine, my friends and family – I keep in touch with them all every day. Work distracts me, but you can’t not think about it all. It’s your home.”
((NARRATION))
Latvia has created a special office to assist Ukrainian nationals fleeing Ukraine. All refugees are entitled to temporary protection in the country.
((For Vladislavs Andrejevs in Riga, Latvia, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateNovember 6, 2024 09:03 EST
BylineVladislav Andrejevs
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
