The people and the authorities of Moldova must focus more on the prevention of diseases, not only on their treatment. For the purpose, education programs should be first implemented in schools, head of the National NGO Council Antonita Fonari stated in the public debate “Social aspects of the year 2016 in the view of authorities and experts”, organized by IPN News Agency.

Antonita Fonari, who is also the manager of the Platform for Active Citizenship and Partnership for Human Rights, said the people in Moldova have exaggerated exceptions of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education. “What we exaggeratedly expect of the medical authorities is to have by an ambulance for any health problem. In fact, it seems to me that the problem is related to prophylaxis and education of people to take care of their health and to deal with very simple health situations,” she stated.

According to Antonita Fonari, there are grave situations when an ambulance is urgently needed, while the people with minor health problems should not ask for an ambulance, but should go to the family doctor. “I think that in the case of many of our problems, we should look not for solutions, but rather for prevention methods. When we speak about health in general, we should have a mandatory course on life habits in schools,” said the activist.

As to the social year 2016, Antonita Fonari mentioned among the accomplishments the coming into force of the most important provisions of the Law on Tobacco Control, which ban smoking in public places, the adoption of the law that institutes a minimum 40% gender quota for party lists of candidates is another accomplishment. This law also institutes paternity leave and this is another important aspect. The activist considers this provision will contribute to a greater involvement of fathers in the raising and education of children and this is a step forward.

Another accomplishment at the social level, according to Antonita Fonari, is the enactment of the law that protects victims of violence. The law provides for the institution of very developed services. Though these are mainly created by NGOs, the state bodies also became involved.

The public debate “Social aspects of the year 2016 in the view of authorities and experts” is the 69th debate of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are organized with the assistance of the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.