Over 60 million lei annually earmarked for treatment of patients with rare diseases in Moldova

Chisinau, 11 March /MOLDPRES/ - About 2,500 patients with rare diseases are registered in Moldova, of whom more than a half are children. The state annually allocates over 60 million lei for their treatment. The subject was discussed at a national conference, organized by the Health Ministry, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF), Pediatry Society of Moldova, National Centre of the Health of Reproduction and Medical Genetics, jointly Association of Rehabilitation of Children with Phenylketonuria, S.O.S. Autism Public Association and the Children of Rain Public Association.     

In the opening of the event, the head of the USMF’s Pediatry Department, Ninel Revenco, said that it was needed enhancement of the awareness of the seriousness of these diseases among the decision-makers, of the professionals in health, of the society in general and the informing is the key for improving the quality of living of these patients. ‘’Physicians must be the advocates of these children and clearly tell to the governors that, by investing more in children’s health, we protect the next generations,’’ Revenco noted.       

Revenco also referred to the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, as many children are diagnosed with spinal amyotrophy, immune-deficiencies, autistic disorder, etc. The professor also said that the World Health Organization (WHO) had elaborated a document, thereby obliging the member countries to implement the neonatal screening in more rare diseases, among which: hypothyroidism, innate errors of metabolism, immune-deficiencies.  This document is included in the national plan for the health of women, children and teenagers.   

According to the Health Ministry, in 2023, about 61.5 million lei was allocated for 1,082 people diagnosed with 11 rare diseases. In Moldova, the treatment of patients with rare diseases is backed through financing from the mandatory health insurances accounts. More exactly, they benefit from compensated medicines at the 100-per cent level, prescribed by the family physician. Also, the patients benefit from free of charge treatment at the public medical and sanitary institutions.