Moldova lags behind in ensuring public health, study

Moldova lags behind other countries of Central and Eastern Europe in ensuring the health of the population. The main cause for the stagnation of the medical system is the insufficient investment made by the state in medical insurance, experts of the Analytical Center “Expert-Grup” said when presenting a study of the transparency and economic efficiency of the use of the National Health Insurance Company’s funds, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the experts, the number of people possessing health insurance policies and contributing directly to the health system is very low in Moldova. Alex Oprunenco, of “Expert-Grup”, said 30% of Moldova’s population is not medically insured. On the other hand, only 34% of the insured persons purchased the policy or are salary-earners and pay the mandatory health insurance premiums. The rest of the people are insured by the Government. This fact has a negative impact on the development of the health system. Doctor Evelina Gherghelegiu, who contributed to making the study, stated for Info-Prim Neo that reforms that would clearly define the responsibilities of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Company should be implemented in order to ensure the good functioning of the health system and the health insurance system. ”The study shows that besides economic factors like the low incomes that do not allow the people to buy health insurance polices, there are causes that discourage the people from purchasing polices. Among them is the quality of the health services that does not meet the expectations and the needs of the population,” said Ana Popa, of “Expert-Grup”. The rise in the fixed health insurance contributions during the next years will not help solve the main problems faced if the quality of the medical services is not improved, she added. The authors of the study said progress can be made if steps are taken to improve the institutional governance and executive management of the National Health Insurance Company. The problematic aspects include internal institutional governance and the relation with service providers. Both of the aspects have a significant impact on the efficiency and control of the use of the mandatory health insurance funds. Mircea Buga, director of the National Health Insurance Company, said the recommendations and suggestions made by “Expert-Grup” are very good and a part of them will be implemented within the obligatory health insurance system. The study of the transparency and economic efficiency of the use of the National Health Insurance Company’s funds was carried out during March-July.