Stradins Hospital to host Namejs 2026 exercises

Practical activities for the national defence exercise Namejs 2026 will take place at Paula Stradins Clinical University Hospital in Riga on September 18 and 19, LSM reports.

Soldiers, members of the National Guard and military equipment will be visible on the hospital grounds. The hospital has asked patients, visitors, staff and residents of the Āgenskalns neighbourhood not to be alarmed, saying the activities are part of a planned exercise and will not affect its daily work or patient care.

The exercise will test cooperation between civilian and military institutions, including their readiness and ability to act together in a threat situation. Photography and filming of the exercise will be prohibited on the hospital grounds.

Some temporary movement restrictions may be introduced in parts of the hospital grounds. Medical treatment and healthcare services will continue as usual.

Namejs 2026 is taking place across Latvia from September 2 to October 8. About 12,000 Latvian and allied soldiers and members of the National Guard are participating. The exercise is intended to improve cooperation and readiness among the National Armed Forces, allied forces and civilian institutions.