Some 27% of the children aged one do not benefit from medical assistance owing to the negligence of parents. The Ministry of Health aims to diminish this indicator in the course of 2017. The objective is laid out in a cooperation agreement signed with UNICEF, IPN reports.

Currently, only 73% of the children aged one are supervised by doctors. The Ministry and UNICEF plan to increase this rate to 90%. For the purpose, there will be worked out regulations based on which doctors will make home visits. Also, medical assistants will be trained how to efficiently assist children at the place of residence. There will be worked out child care and growth standards.

Students of the University of Medicine “Nicolae Testemitanu” and of the College of Medicine will be trained to promote the immunization of children and to efficiently communicate in crisis situations. For the purpose, the discipline “Interpersonal Communication” will be included in the programs of studies.

The cooperation agreement also envisions the approval of the National Communications Strategy for changing the behavior of adolescents. The document will include actions to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and HIV among children and, respectively, teenage pregnancies. The strategy will also promote mental health and healthy eating.