L-R: Dr Modesta Dargeviciute, doctor; Filomena Silva Costa, nurse; António Gamito, Portuguese Ambassador to Luxembourg; Dr Samuel Luyasu, doctor at CHL; Mónica Valente, nurse; Credit: SIP / Emmanuel Claude

On Wednesday 10 March 2021, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Health Paulette Lenert received at the Ministry of State the two medical teams from the Grand Duchy who went to Portugal last month to support the fight against COVID-19.

The two medical teams, each consisting of a doctor and a nurse, spent fifteen days in Portugal (14-28 February and 21 February to 8 March 2021 respectively) assisting in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Samuel Luyasu and Nurse Monica Almeida Valente as well as Dr. Modesta Dargeviciute and Nurse Filomena Silva Costa left their jobs in Luxembourg to volunteer at the Espírito Santo de Evora hospital, located in southeastern Portugal. Luxembourg aid has helped relieve some of the health professionals overwhelmed by the influx of patients with COVID-19 in Portugal.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister and the Health Minister praised the courage and dedication of these two medical teams and thanked them for their exemplary commitment to Evora. They pointed out: "To overcome this global crisis, solidarity is more necessary than ever. Through your commitment, you have shown not only your own solidarity with Portugal, but also that of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with friendly countries".

Upon their return to the Grand Duchy, the medical teams also met with António Gamito, Portugal's Ambassador to Luxembourg.