The national system for public health emergencies does not have plans for preparation, detection and rapid response to public health emergencies. Cross-sectoral collaboration for public health emergency intervention between central public administration (APC) and local government (APL) in non-existent. These findings were published in the Monitoring Report on the measures taken by public authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of the impact on the elderly. The report was made public by the Platform for Active Aging.
Cristina Răilean, secretary of the Platform for Active Aging, told a press conference said that the national system lacks standard operational procedures to ensure a continuous activity of public institutions responsible for managing public health emergencies. The system din not receive sustainable or sufficient funding, neither before, nor during nor after public health emergencies.
"In regard to the readiness status of the national system for public health emergencies, the system is partially prepared. We monitored 25 progress indicators of the 17 actions, which form the National Public Health Strategy. Only six indicators reached sufficient progress levels, while one indicator signaled partial progress. The other 18 indicators did not show any progress. As a result, only 24 percent of progress was reached", said Cristina Răilean.
Current progress accounts for legal framework adjustment to international health framework provisions. Clear roles have been established at the APL and APC level, for the preparation, detection and rapid response to public health emergencies. Additionally, an emergency financing mechanism was established, while the capacities of specialized staff were periodically increased, said the platform secretary.
Dina Ciubotaru, program coordinator at Helpage International, said that although COVID-19 seems to be a hotly debated topic, only one out of five Moldovans consider it an important topic. The elderly are a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection, added Dina Ciubotaru.
Helpage International and the Active Aging Platform are implementing the "Integrating active aging into public policy" project, with the support of the Eastern European Foundation and in partnership with the Center "Partnership for Development", with financial assistance from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and from Sweden.
