The ophthalmological service of Moldova during the next five years will be modernized, while the persons with visual impairments will be provided with vision correction devices. A number of ministries and nongovernmental organizations signed a cooperation agreement to this effect in Chisinau on March 24, IPN reports.

The signatories of the agreement are: Medical-Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Poor Vision “Low Vision” of Moldova, Charity Organization “Help Moldova”, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family. The Center “Low Vision” will be responsible for the implementation of the accord.

This will be put into practice in a number of stages. Initially, the signatories will help work out the strategies for improving the ophthalmological service in Moldova. The second stage consists in drafting the National Eye Health Plan. Later, equipment will be brought from abroad to prevent, identify and treat vision problems and to socially and educationally integrate visually-impaired persons.

In the signing ceremony, “Low Vision” Center director Tatiana Ghidirimschi said the agreement is designed to increase the access of people with visual impairments to ophthalmological services. The agreement was signed for a five-year period.

Over 10,000 persons suffer from visual impairments in Moldova. Most of the national hospitals include ophthalmological sections. There are also private centers that provide ophthalmological services.