The National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova criticizes the 10 million lei cut in the budget for balneosanatorial treatments for 2025 proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. According to the vice-president of the CNSM, Sergiu Sainciuc, this decision will prevent access to treatment for more than 1000 insured people.
While costs are rising, the budget has remained the same for more than a decade, the unionists argue.
"Since 2014, the budget allocated for balneology treatments has remained constant at 30 million lei, while the average cost of a ticket has almost doubled, from 4852 lei to 9477 lei in 2024", CNSM vice-president told IPN.
Sergiu Sainciuc said that salaries and contributions have increased, but the budget allocated for balneosanatorial treatments has remained unchanged. Of the 626,300 insured employees, not even 0.5% do not benefit from these services each year.
In 2024, the National Social Insurance House purchased 3452 tickets for treatment, of which 2073 were distributed through its territorial structures and 1379 were allocated through trade union organizations. The number of applicants far outstrips supply, with waiting lists reaching up to seven, and even ten years. According to trade unions, the budget cuts will affect thousands of people. "It is more important to invest in maintaining our health and working capacity than to spend money later on treating serious ailments", CNSM vice-president Lilia Franț told IPN.
Those who apply for balneology treatment tickets are usually people over 50. Many of them have chronic diseases. "Unfortunately, there are cases when some beneficiaries wait up to 10 years and never get the ticket. We have also had cases where the beneficiary died and didn't get to benefit from balneosanatorial treatment", said Lilia Franț.
The unions are calling for an increase in the budget for balneosanatoria treatments to at least 50 million lei to cover the minimum demand. The demands have been submitted to the Government and Parliament, in the hope that decision - makers will adopt measures that reflect economic realities and the needs of beneficiaries.
"We will continue the discussions in the relevant parliamentary committees, but we believe it is necessary that at least the 10 million cut should be reinstated in the budget. A solution is urgently needed, otherwise the impact on employees' health and productivity will be devastating", said CNSM vice-president Sergiu Sainciuc.
Treatment tickets for veterans, participants of the Chernobyl disaster, people with disabilities from the war, pensioners and active employees-members of trade unions are fully covered by the State Social Insurance Budget. Other insured persons pay 20% of the cost of the ticket in the Sanatorium House.
Tickets are available for treatment in five sanatoriums in the country: "Struguras" (Dubasari), "Bucuria Sind" (Vadul lui Voda), "Nufarul Alb" (Cahul), "Codru" (Harjauca) and "Dnestr" (Camenca).
