UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund with financial support of the U.S. Government will fully modernize seven maternity and two specialized hospitals with lifesaving equipment.
Today UNFPA delivered the state-of-the-art medical equipment to the Balti Perinatal Center in a ceremony attended by UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Mr. Ib Petersen, Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, Member of the Parliamentary Committee for social protection, health and family. The Center is the largest public health institution that provides medical assistance and referral to the most difficult and critical medical cases in the north region of the country.
The 1.8 million USD worth of medical equipment was procured within the framework of UNFPA’s humanitarian response. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than half a million refugees have transited through the Republic of Moldova and more than 90,000 remain in the country. Since the majority of refugees are women, there is a significant increase in demand for maternal and reproductive health services.
“Making motherhood safe is UNFPA's top priorities, especially in times of crisis,” said Mr. Ib Petersen, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director. “UNFPA is committed to strengthening the national health system of the Republic of Moldova and increasing the access of women, both Moldovan women and Ukrainian refugees, to quality maternal, newborn and reproductive health services. The modern equipment delivered to the medical institutions will help the doctors to provide support to the population at the highest international maternal health standards for decades ahead.”
“With the support of the state budget, we carried out the repair of the perinatal center and also provided equipment, but most of the equipment was provided by UNFPA. This is very important equipment to improve the quality of medical services, to save the lives of small newborns and the mothers,” said Ms. Ala Nemerenco, Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova.
“Equipping the perinatal centers with state-of-the-art medical equipment is another valuable step in strengthening the reproductive health care system of the country,” said Ms. Liliana Grosu, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Parliamentary Committee for social protection, health and family. “We appreciate and thank UNFPA for the sustainable and substantial support given over the years to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Twenty years ago, due to complications I risked losing my life and the life of the little girl I was expecting. A sad episode of my life, which has been experienced by many women. I really hope that these experiences will only remain in the past,” added Ms. Grosu.
Modernization of the perinatal centers and medical institutions is critical to reducing maternal and newborn mortality. UNFPA will fully equip 22 delivery rooms that will ensure safe deliveries for the estimated 15 thousand births annually. The newborns in critical conditions will be saved thanks to the modern equipment to be installed in Intensive Care Units of eight hospitals.
Fourteen operating rooms will be fully modernized, as in most of the health institutions the operating theatres were outdated functioning for more than 20 years, in some places not replaced since 1979. 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 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.
