UNFPA and U.S. Government supports Moldova’s health system to provide lifesaving maternal and reproductive health care for all
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with financial support of the U.S. Government increased the health system capacity of the Republic of Moldova to provide equal lifesaving maternal, newborn, and reproductive health care to both Moldovan population and Ukrainian refugees.
Seven maternity and two specialized hospitals are modernized with state-of-the-art equipment, medicines, supplies and provided with technical assistance, within the framework of UNFPA’s humanitarian response. The investments were made in the most strategic secondary and tertiary level hospitals in the northern, central and southern regions of the country with the highest number of refugees in the community, including the Institute of Mother and Child, Hospital #1, Hospital #3 in Chisinau, Balti Perinatal Center, Cahul Perinatal Center, Ungheni Perinatal Center, Edinet Perinatal Center, Ceadir Lunga Perinatal Center and the Institute of Oncology.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than half a million refugees have transited through the Republic of Moldova and more than 95,000 remain in the country. Since the majority of refugees are women, there is a significant increase in demand for maternal and reproductive health services.
“Today we are a step closer towards fulfilling the Government's priorities in healthcare - to have modern medical institutions of European standards,” said Moldova’s Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita at the Official ceremony dedicated to the modernization of the Institute of Mother and Child, one of the hospitals where seven delivery rooms, two operation theatres and two intensive care units for mothers and newborns, have been fully equipped with UNFPA and U.S. Government support. The ceremony was also organized as part of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Mother and Child in Chisinau, which manages the most severe and complicated gynecological and obstetrical cases from all over the country.
“The government recently adopted the National Development Strategy until 2030 and we will work hard so that every person in our country, adult or child, has access to quality medical services. We thank our partners UNFPA and the U.S. Embassy in Moldova for your support, as this is a major investment in the maternal healthcare system in years," the Prime Minister added.
“The United States is proud to partner with the Government of Moldova and with UNFPA to provide the critical equipment that is now available at the Institute of Mother and Child,” said Mr. Kent D. Logsdon, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. “It will meet an urgent humanitarian need and contribute to the long-term development of Moldova’s health care infrastructure.”
“UNFPA is committed to support the Government of the Republic of Moldova strengthening the national health system in order to increase the access of women, both Moldovan women and Ukrainian refugees, to lifesaving maternal, newborn and reproductive health services,” said Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative. “The modern equipment, medicines, supplies and trained medical workforce, which are delivering across Moldova will translate into thousands of safe childbirths, saved lives and quality of care at the highest international maternal health standards for decades ahead.”
UNFPA is fully equipping 22 delivery rooms from the 7 maternities across Moldova that will ensure safe deliveries for the estimated 15 thousand births annually. The newborns in critical conditions will have higher chances for survival thanks to the modern equipment to be installed in eight Intensive Care Units.
Fourteen operating rooms will be fully modernized. A new room for gynecological surgeries will be equipped in the Chisinau Oncological Institute and will save lives by significantly reducing the wait time for female oncological surgeries. As well, 20 ambulances will be donated to respond to the pressing emergency needs of the population.
As part of its humanitarian response, earlier this year UNFPA delivered 13 tons of sexual and reproductive health supplies, medicines and equipment to 41 medical institutions of the country. UNFPA also ensures free access of Ukrainian refugee women to sexual and reproductive health services provided by the national health system, including antenatal, postnatal care, delivery, including cesareans, contraceptives, and sexually transmitted infections treatment, under a collaboration agreement with the National Health Insurance Company.
***
For more information:
Ms. Irina Lipcanu
UNFPA Moldova Communication Analyst
tel 069162304
Ms. Ene Tuyliyeva
UNFPA Moldova Communication Analyst / Humanitarian
tel 060246241
