Faces of WHO – Laima

Laima Bauvare – WHO Country Office, Latvia

Laima Bauvare works as an Administrative Assistant in WHO’s Country Office in Latvia. Because the office is quite small, she supports all aspects of WHO’s work, from administration and communications to phone calls and webinars. Keen to work for an organization with a higher purpose, she joined WHO in 2019. In this short interview, Laima talks about what inspires her and shares her tips on staying healthy.

What brought you to WHO?

I started working for the World Health Organization in January 2019. There are many reasons that made me want to work for WHO, but I think the main one is that it seemed like an opportunity to work for a “higher purpose” within an organization driven by the goal of making the world a little bit better than it is. After all, health is essential to every aspect of life! After working in the private sector for many years, I realized I was no longer interested in that path. Being with WHO and working for better health for all at the country level means that I can see the impact of our efforts every day. You get immediate feedback from stakeholders; you see positive change implemented; and you feel good knowing you’re part of that positive change.

Share something unique about your work.

I’m the person who answers the phone in the Country Office, and we get many phone calls. It’s great that people in Latvia come to us with their questions, but not everyone in the country knows exactly what it is that WHO does – many are still learning about our work. Of course, this has changed somewhat because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but before the pandemic there was often some confusion about where WHO’s work begins and ends. Some would call for medical advice, in which case we would refer them to their GP or the health authorities here. One time I received a call from a ship with Latvian passengers in international waters. One of the passengers had fallen ill and they were wondering what they should do. That was undoubtedly one of the most unexpected phone calls I’ve received.

What does health mean for you and what do you do to stay healthy?

This is a big topic with many sides to it. There’s the physical side of health: I have started walking much more – I now walk home from the office even if it’s far away. It takes me about an hour and twenty minutes, and walking back creates a nice transition between work and home. Another side is food. I’m a big believer in whole foods and a plant-based diet. I wouldn’t say I follow it perfectly, but it’s something I always keep in mind. And then there’s the mental health aspect. I try to stay grounded, mindful and centred. Lastly, the environment is also important for my personal health, so I strive to make sustainable and environmentally-friendly choices.

Give us your best health tip.

Eat more vegetables.

The past 16 months have been difficult for billions of people all over the world. What has challenged you during this pandemic?

These have been hard times for everyone everywhere, but I think I’ve been one of the luckier ones, partly because of my personality. I like to spend a lot of time at home anyway, and the physical activities I enjoy are solo sports like hiking or yoga. However, not being able to meet with my extended family has been difficult. I have a very close relationship with my sister and her family. They have young children, whom I miss a lot. Not being able to see them has been painful.

Imagine another year of lockdown. During the whole year, you only get to have one book to read. What would it be?

This is a difficult question for a bookworm! I guess I’d pick one that would be fun to re-read several times over the year. It would be Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. The book sort of helps you make peace with the fact that we are all going through difficult times. The way the book is written, the way it travels through time in different parts of a person’s life… there’s an underlying acceptance that this is all just a moment in time – and it will pass.

…and after the year of lockdown, you can invite anyone – present or historical – for dinner. Who do you invite?

Michelle Obama. I read her book recently and think she’s a very interesting person.

WHO Country Office Latvia

• Number of staff: 2
• Operating since: 1992
• Key focus areas: Mental Health, Digital Health, Health Financing and Health Systems, Integrated Health Care, Health Emergencies (COVID-19).