The chairman of the Public Association “Moldova Mea” (“My Moldova”) Fiodor Ghelici urges Prime Minister Vlad Filat to use the value of the new prize that was awarded to him recently in Europe for children whom the state is unable to treat with budgetary money. He called upon the authorities, the political class and society to allocate money for purchasing the equipment needed to operate children suffering from spine problems. In a news conference held at Info-Prim Neo on September 9, Fiodor Ghelici spoke about a seven-year-old girl who needs an immediate operation on the backbone. He said that though it is paid with money from the budget of the National Social Insurance House, the given operation cannot be performed on children because the Mother and Child Center does not have the necessary equipment. The girl’s condition can worsen and the length of her life can diminish significantly owing to complications that she may develop. “I know that the Prime Minister dreams of buying a water scooter, but he would better donate US$6,900 for purchasing the necessary instruments so that the children can be operated. Or Marian Lupu can sell the billboards on which he appears and donate the money for these children so that they have a future,” said Fiodor Ghelici. Doctor Nicolae Shavga, Habilitate Doctor and lecturer, said this is not the only case when the surgery is not possible owing to the absence of equipment. “We operate by 50-60 children suffering from spine problems a year, but many operations are postponed because we do not have tools. We have made numerous approaches, but all in vain. We could help more children, but we cannot remove this obstacle,” said the doctor. Such surgeries for children younger than 18 are covered from the social insurance budget, but the girl’s parents said they were told to pay over €13,000 for such an operation in a Chisinau hospital. They stated they are ready to pay for the implants that are to be fixed during the operation, in accordance with the legislation.