Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, many medical professionals have fled to Latvia, specifically settling in Daugavpils. Among them are a group of doctors who have found employment and begun to build a new life in this city. For instance, surgeon Maksims Kainara, who hails from the Luhansk region, arrived in Daugavpils in September 2022 after escaping the Russian occupation that began in March of the same year. He described the challenges he faced, including the abrupt transition to a new country and the need to validate his professional credentials with the Latvian health authorities.

Kainara is currently employed in the emergency department of the hospital, where he is the first point of contact for incoming patients. He acknowledges that this job is demanding and emphasizes the importance of communicating in Latvian, a task that he is still mastering. In addition to working in Daugavpils, he also attends to patients in nearby cities such as Jēkabpils and Krāslava, showcasing not only the demand for medical services but also the resilience and adaptability of the Ukrainian medical professionals who have relocated to Latvia amid the ongoing conflict.

The presence of Ukrainian doctors in Daugavpils illustrates how the war has reshaped their lives and provided them with opportunities for professional engagement and personal stability in a foreign land. This migration not only fills important healthcare roles in Latvia but also contributes to the multicultural fabric of the community as these immigrants forge new connections and thrive in their adopted home.