Grand Reopening Celebrates Completion of Children’s Ward Renovation at Cēsis Clinic
On February 27, a celebratory event marked the reopening of the Children’s Ward with Day Hospital at Cēsis Clinic following extensive renovation works. This milestone concludes a significant development phase involving the complete reconstruction of the clinic’s medical building — from the basement to the roof — ensuring that patients of all ages can now receive treatment in a modern, safe, and welcoming environment that meets contemporary medical standards.
“As of now, with the reconstruction of the rehabilitation day hospital premises of the Children's Health Centre completed last year, and the recent renovation of the Children's Ward, the entire medical building — from the basement up to the roof over the 5th floor — has been fully rebuilt. This marks the final step in a series of projects that have been systematically implemented at Cēsis Clinic since 2014, with more than 9 million euros invested in infrastructure renewal and medical technology upgrades. Of this, over a quarter (27%) was funded through various European Union fund projects. Nearly 19% came from joint national and Cēsis Municipality funding, while the majority — 54% — was provided by Cēsis Clinic itself,” explained Ingūna Liepa, Chair of the Board at Cēsis Clinic.
The reconstruction of the medical building began in 2014 with thermal insulation of exterior walls, roof renovation, and the installation of a solar collector system for hot water. Between 2018 and 2022, the internal medicine departments on the 4th and 5th floors were renovated, two elevators were replaced, and staff changing rooms were built in the basement. From 2021 to 2023, the surgical department on the 2nd floor, rehabilitation and outpatient departments on the 3rd floor, and the outpatient pediatric consultation block on the 1st floor were reconstructed in two stages. In parallel, the diagnostic building underwent energy efficiency improvements, including wall insulation, solar panel installation for electricity generation, and reconstruction of both external and internal engineering systems.
In 2024, with support from the European Union funds, the outpatient rehabilitation facilities of the Children’s Health Centre were renovated. This included the creation of two physiotherapy rooms, spaces for day hospital procedures, a cozy waiting area for families, and other functional rooms. Several new devices were also purchased. To create a more comfortable and pleasant environment, students and teachers from the Cēsis Art School, led by Pēteris Rozenbergs, contributed their talent. Three rooms now feature beautiful wall paintings based on students’ sketches. Since October last year, funded by Cēsis Clinic, renovation work continued in the Children’s Ward, upgrading patient rooms and corridors and completing ceiling and engineering network repairs.
As a result, the entire medical building has now acquired a completely renewed infrastructure and internal layout, while maintaining the original outer walls. Systems for ventilation, electricity supply, water and sewage, medical gases, and nurse call equipment — including those in the Children’s Ward with Day Hospital — have all been reconstructed.
“We fully recognize the importance of pediatric healthcare and are proud of the rapid growth of the Children’s Health Centre, now in its sixth year. Both patient and specialist demand continues to grow, with an increasing number of treated patients each year. What started as a pediatric inpatient unit with a day hospital has now expanded to include a range of services: state-funded outpatient pediatric consultations, consultations with specialists in various fields, and rehabilitation services at the day centre. The fact that we can work in increasingly better conditions is a benefit not only for our patients but also for us as medical professionals. I’m grateful to all our partners, the project management team, and each employee at Cēsis Clinic for their contributions,” emphasized Ingūna Liepa.
Ilze Dambe, Head of the Children’s Health Centre, also expressed her satisfaction with the results: “Last week, a patient messaged me from Rome, where she and her child had ended up in a children's hospital. She wrote that she would rather be in Cēsis Clinic a million times over. This kind of appreciation from parents brings us special joy. Every day we feel how much we are needed — our facilities are always full. I’m thankful to the management for recognizing the Centre’s development potential, and to all the doctors, nurses, assistants, and orderlies for standing strong during our time in temporary facilities, so we could return with joy to our ‘home’ in the children’s department.”
Public support continues to play a visible role in the Centre’s daily operations, with donations received for the “Courage Boxes,” medical technologies, and other needs. One of the long-standing supporters of Cēsis Clinic is the Rotary Club of Cēsis, with whom a cooperation memorandum was recently signed. “The Children’s Ward reopening is not only a moment to celebrate what’s been accomplished, but also a chance to look ahead. We are especially pleased to sign a memorandum of goodwill under which the Cēsis Rotary Club becomes a patron of the Children’s Health Centre. This marks a new phase in cooperation and highlights civic society’s involvement in the hospital’s long-term development. The memorandum outlines a commitment to ongoing support for improving the therapeutic, functional, and aesthetic environment of the Children’s Health Centre, and backing the hospital staff who provide safe, high-quality care for children,” noted the Chair of the Board.
Development Projects Implemented at Cēsis Clinic:
• KPFI Project No. KPFI-15.3/134 “Comprehensive Solutions for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Cēsis Clinic Buildings” – 2014–2015
• ERDF Project No. 9.3.2.0/18/I/019 “Infrastructure and Medical Technology Renewal at Cēsis Clinic and Equipment Procurement at Vidzeme Hospital to Ensure Quality Healthcare Services in Vidzeme” – 2018–2022
• REACT-EU Project No. 4.2.2.0/20/I/015 “Improving Energy Efficiency of the Cēsis Clinic Diagnostic Building” – 2021
• External and Stormwater Sewage Network Reconstruction Project – 2022
• Simplified Renovation of the Surgery Department on the 2nd Floor of the Medical Building (Sections 5-9 / Between Sections B-D) – 2021–2022
• Construction of a Garage with Utility Rooms in the Diagnostic Building – 2022–2023
• High-Readiness Project No. 935/2022/2.2-14 “Development of Cēsis Clinic to Improve Quality and Accessibility of Services for Residents” – 2022–2023
• EU Recovery and Resilience Facility Project No. 4.1.1.3.i.0/1/23/I/CFLA/030 “Improvement of the Cēsis Clinic Children’s Health Centre Day Hospital and Rehabilitation Services and Infrastructure Renewal” – 2024
• Ceiling and Engineering Network Repairs in the Children’s Ward with Day Hospital on the 1st Floor of the Medical Building – 2024–2025
