The Republic of Moldova needs an independent system for reporting cases of malpractice as the empowered medical institutions of the country do not denounce the doctors who commit medical errors. This way they avoid criminal liability. Such an opinion was stated by children’s ombudswoman Tamara Plamadeala. In a news conference at IPN, she said that the national legislation does not stipulate punishments for doctors to blame for malpractice, while the injured parties are unable to seek and receive damages.

Tamara Plamadeala said that seven complains from victims of medical errors were submitted to the Center for Human Rights last year. There were started three criminal cases against doctors. In the other four cases the charges were dropped because of lack of evidence. 

According to the ombudswoman, Moldova does not have a national system for reporting medical mistakes. The information about the real number of cases of malpractice and persons to blame is not made public. Medical specialists carried out investigations in all the cases of malpractice reported to the Center, but they often determined no medical error. In the case of three victims, the proofs were sent to Romania for an international analysis. The doctors there established that is was a medical error.

Two of the complaints submitted to the Center for Human Rights refer to cases of death. A boy aged 13 died during surgery to have his tonsils removed, while a child suffocated at birth with the umbilical cord. Another child born in 2012 remained invalid for life owing to doctors’ negligence during delivery. A child went deaf after being vaccinated against bronchial asthma. A girl needed several operations after doctors refused to examine her when she broke an arm and she developed complications. The last case refers to 18 children from Baltata village, who were admitted to the reanimatology section after undergoing a medical procedure.

Tamara Plamadeala said that a case of malpractice has been reported this year. A child aged 13 was vaccinated at school without the parents’ consent and now cannot walk.