The second consignment of medical equipment and medicines provided by the Government of Japan within the emergency relief intended for Ukraine and the neighboring countries was handed over to the Oncological Institute of Chisinau. The Institute’s director Ruslan Baltaga said that this humanitarian aid will contribute to Moldova’s efforts to implement the emergency refugee crisis preparedness and response plan. The donated medical equipment and medicines will increase the capacities for diagnosis and treatment of Ukrainian refugees and also of patients from Moldova who need such treatment, IPN reports.
“The Republic of Moldova does not have maximum possibilities for providing all the Ukrainian refugees with medical services. Therefore, we seek support from organizations and governments of states so as to facilitate the process somehow. Today’s donation is one of these stages. Cancer treatment is one of the most costly treatments and is also long-lasting,” said Ion Prisăcaru, secretary of state at the Ministry of Health.
Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Yoshihiro Katayama said that the provided assistance totals over US$ 8 million. Among the beneficiaries is the Oncological Institute. “We sincerely want this medical equipment and medicines we offer today to be used maximally efficiently for the people of Moldova and for the Ukrainians who found shelter in the Republic of Moldova,” stated the ambassador.
Lars Johan Lönnback, IOM Chief of Mission in Moldova, said that given the inflow of Ukrainian refugees, the provision of specialized medical services, including cancer treatment, put major pressure on the national health budget due to the high cost of these treatments and the absence of the necessary medicines. The International Organization for Migration will continue supporting the Republic of Moldova and will contribute to ensuring the continuity of treatment for cancer for patients who need it.
