The epidemiological situation in Chisinau is very difficult despite the complex mobilization. The lack of the necessary medical equipment and oxygen sources remains a major problem. There is also a shortage of antiviral medicines needed under the national COVID-19 treatment protocol. But the medical institutions in Chisinau treat most of the infected patients, including those with severe forms of the novel coronavirus, caretaker head of the Social Assistance and Health Division (that was recently reorganized into the General Medical and Social Assistance Division) Boris Gîlca stated in the ordinary meeting of municipal services, IPN reports.

Boris Gîlca said the COVID-19 Center at Moldexpo still needs an oxygen filling station as there are many patients who do not have a place in intensive care units and oxygen therapy systems are necessary to save lives in some of the case.

Mayor of Chisinau Ion Ceban said the number of cases of COVID-19 and of associated deaths continues to grow in the capital city. Another 200 beds were made available at the Saint Trinity Hospital and two more intensive care units with 36 beds are being prepared.

According to the mayor, the Ministry of Health’s explanations about the impossibility of installing an oxygen filling station at Moldexpo are incongruous as the COVID-19 Center eases the burden of the hospitals treating patients with COVID-19. “I repeat that the COVID-19 Center needs an oxygen station and such a station is available at the Ministry. It was bought with World Bank funds and is gathering dust somewhere,” he stated.

Earlier, Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said that as a result of consultations with specialists, it was concluded that the installation of an oxygen filling station at the COVID-19 Center at Moldexpo is impossible for technical reasons as the Center’s walls are not made of concrete and the networks are inappropriate. Moreover, the center is a temporary medical unit that was initially panned as a triage center.