Lithuanian medical team arrived in Yerevan on June 19 to help Armenian medical workers to treat COVID-19 patients and overcome the epidemic. The team is comprised of 8 medical workers and 3 experts (the medical team: anaesthesiologists and intensive care experts, emergency doctors and caregivers)․ They flew from Šiauliai to Yerevan bringing medical supplies and equipment with them. The team will stay here for one more week. 

Every member of the team was directly involved in the fight against COVID-19 in Lithuania, and the group has volunteered to take part in the mission in Armenia. The medics are currently working with COVID-19 patients in Yerevan, whereas the experts are providing recommendations to Armenian institutions on organizational and logistical aspects of the fight against COVID-19. 

Mediamax has met and talked with two members of the Lithuanian medical team about the visit, their experience working in Armenian hospitals and the support provided to Armenia. 

Stronger Together

Marius Čiurlionis, team leader, advisor to the Ministry of Health of The Republic of Lithuania

Lithuania was one of the first countries that decided to send a team of medical workers and experts on state level to visit Armenia and share their best experience. The relation between Armenia and Lithuania has been lasting for a couple of decades; Lithuania also sent professionals in 1988 after the Spitak earthquake. I also remember that on September 21, 1991, Lithuania became the first country to recognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia. 

Marius Čiurlionis

Photo: Mediamax

The relationship between Armenia and Lithuania has been building for a long time, so our mission’s support could be a new page or open a new chapter between our two countries.

As our mission’s logo says, we are “Stronger Together”. We are two very similar small nations, it is hard to survive in this harsh world, but by working together we can build stronger relationships, which can create new possibilities in the future. We will all be stronger if we overcome the epidemic together.

Learning from each other

Ainius Žarskus, anesthesiologists-reanimatologist

The current situation in Armenia and Lithuania is completely different. For example, on June 23 Lithuania had only one new confirmed case of COVID-19, while Armenia had more than 700. Besides, in Lithuania we test a lot. As of 24 June, more than 403,000 samples were tested for COVID-19 in Lithuania, of which 1,804 came back positive. 

Ainius Žarskus

Photo: Mediamax

Probably, Lithuania has more experience in preventing the spread of the virus, but as for the treatment, Armenia has definitely more information and experience how to treat this virus. The treatment is actually very similar in both countries, we cannot recognize any huge difference. What we can say is that Armenians are working very hard, you should be proud of your medical workers - they are the true heroes of this story. You should somehow encourage them in this tough situation. 

The most important thing that should be understood is that we still need to have our review of the situation in Armenia, we need to make analysis what is happening, what decisions were made and how they influenced the overall situation. Only then we can come up with suggestions and share our experiences about what we think should be done or should be done differently. We are still looking for the answer to why the situation is so different in our two countries - this is one of the main points of this mission. It is a new lesson for us because we never had such big numbers of COVID-19 patients. Just in case of the second wave of the virus in Lithuania, for us there are a lot of things to learn from Armenia as well. Fighting against the coronavirus is not a temporary thing. 

So far, our first impression is that we only see hard working people: dedicated people are the key in fighting against the virus.

The Lithuanian experience

Marius: Lithuania has one of the “success stories” against fighting Covid-19. One of the key points of our story is that there was excellent cooperation between government and society. The society was able to respond to the government’s decisions in the right way, so they were working together hand in hand. First and foremost, wear masks; second, keep the social distancing; third, wash your hands - these are the three main steps that everybody can follow and it can play a significant role to stop the spread of the virus. Not 100 % of Lithuanians followed the rules, but 98% definitely did so. 

Marius Čiurlionis

Photo: Mediamax

In Armenia, from time to time we can see people not wearing masks in the streets or hugging each other without keeping the social distance. However, what I see now in Armenia and what I expected before the visit are two different things, because most of the people do wear the masks, and if you could engage people to keep the social distance, it would add beneficial value to this process. 

For the future cooperation

Marius, Ainius: We are really excited to be here and we are looking forward to working with your professionals. We would be very happy if your medical workers would also be able to visit Lithuania and share their experience, so we could grow together. 

Ainius Žarskus

Photo: Mediamax

Besides, we will be very happy if educational exchange programs are developed between our countries (not only regarding the healthcare but starting with it), because we have a different approach, different point of view which we can be combined for creating more possibilities. 

Members of the Lithuanian mission

Photo: Mediamax

These days we see a lot of smiles, from time to time when we are walking in the streets of Yerevan, with wearing our T-shirts with two flags of Lithuania and Armenia, we see a lot of smiling people approaching us and saying thank you for our support. It is really nice, this is how you build a relationship between countries.

Early visit

Ainius: I have never visited Armenia before. I am impressed with how warm and friendly people here are. We feel very comfortable in Armenia.

Ainius Žarskus and Marius Čiurlionis

Photo: Mediamax

Marius: I personally knew a lot about Armenia, my grandmother travelled to your country and used to tell me so much about Armenia, about your great food, your great people. We have Armenians living in Lithuania, so you are quite well-known in our country and there was nothing new for us. 

Actually, before the COVID-19 I was planning to visit Armenia in September since there was a launch of the flights between Yerevan and Vilnius. I wanted to come here with my family and friends to have some nice holidays, but I came here earlier with colleagues. 

Amalie Khachatryan

Photos: Emin Aristakesyan