In the Liepāja Regional Hospital, TV Kurzeme met two Doctor Clowns – Pindūs and Pepī, who tried to please the little patient Jennifer. Her mom, Monta, confirmed that Dr. Clowns improve the child’s health: “We get better faster. It’s cool that they are here. For other children who are here for days, I think it’s such a small joy.”
Linda Ulāne, called for Pindū, who works as Doctor Clown in the hospital, said that her task is to change the atmosphere of the hospital a little: “It’s not always about smiling, sometimes it’s about releasing emotions. Getting out. Sometimes about opening up. Sometimes for children in the hospital to allow not only sick people but also children.”
Gundega Blizniec, head nurse of the children’s department of the Liepāja Regional Hospital, appreciates the fact that doctor clowns help reduce children’s anxiety during the treatment process, but believes that three clowns are not enough. They are waiting here every day.
“There are these winter periods when there are a lot of patients, but at the same time there are viruses, flus and everything. Then there is quarantine, and then they are really needed the most.
The clown comes to me once a month or twice a week, every day there are already manipulations. Then, when the child comes in the evening, the clown is no longer there,” said the head nurse.
In order to ensure the demand for clowns in all Latvian hospitals, their number should be increased to 50 instead of the current 35, said the “Dr. Clown” association. To train them, additional funds are needed, which are not always available. One working hour of Doctor Clown costs 20 euros and is supported by donations. The previous training of Doctor Clowns took place three years ago, and 12 clowns were enrolled in it, but this year the association plans to train twenty more, the head of the association, Marianna Milovska, revealed:
“We look at whether people have a talent for acting, whether a person can improvise. Even if they have no previous experience, whether they are open to it.
Together with a psychologist, we look at a person’s psychological maturity, whether he is ready for cooperation, how he perceives losses, whether he is ready to work in a team.”
Often, applying for studies is discouraged by the fact that they have to donate almost every weekend. The training of Doctor Clowns lasts about a year.
Jelena Aleksandrova, aka Doctor Clown “Peppy”, admitted that she had imagined the work differently: “I had imagined the process differently. I thought: “What’s wrong with me, I already know so many games and so many games. Why can’t I go into the ward and let the children play?” But here the process is completely different. Here is improvisation. With whom I was on “You”, but we learn.”
Until May 31, the charity campaign “Help Doctor Clown to be where he is expected!” will be held throughout Latvia to collect donations for the training of new clowns.
