The family doctor's office in Slobozia village, Stefan Voda district, has been modernized and equipped by UNFPA, to provide quality maternal and reproductive health services.

The family doctor Natalia Popescusaid that "Thanks to the modern equipment, women from Slobozia village will confidently go to the gynecologist, reducing new cases of illness".

Women from Slobozia village, Stefan Voda district, can benefit from quality maternal and reproductive health services in their locality. The procedures room, the gynecological examination room and the family doctor's office have been equipped with high-performance equipment, so that each consultation can be carried out quickly, easily and safely.

Today, every fourth primary health care institution in Moldova has modernized and equipped gynaecological wards, thanks to the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners, who have modernized 200 gynaecological surgeries across the country.

For nine years, Natalia Popescu has been working as a family doctor in Slobozia. Every day, more than 10 women come to see her for consultations, diagnostic services, compensated medicine, etc.

In addition to the many responsibilities in her job description, the family doctor says she has an important job - to encourage women from the community to get regular prophylactic gynecological checkups:

"From Monday to Friday, women come to us for gynecological health services - pap smear, examination, family planning, pregnancy surveillance and postnatal care. We also work with Social Welfare to identify and inform vulnerable families and others who can benefit from free contraception. Refugee women from Ukraine, mostly of reproductive age, also live in our village. I inform them about free medical services, including gynecological services. I'm glad that they are receptive and come to us on time".

Natalia Popescu recalls with regret how unfriendly the rooms used to be and how difficult the examination was, especially for women with reduced mobility:

"The equipment was outdated and made the examination process difficult. Women with disabilities, musculoskeletal problems or obesity needed help to get into the gynecological chair. The equipment severely limited their access to health care, created discomfort and embarrassment, and made them less likely to see a doctor.”