The Republic of Moldova and Romania have cooperation relations that materialize into concrete programs implemented in medical institutions of the two countries. It happens so also in the case of the Oncology Institute of Chisinau, which forms part of a number of crossborder projects and directly benefits from the support of the neighboring country, the Oncology Institute’s director Ruslan Baltaga stated in a public debate hosted by IPN.

“Two crossborder research projects are being now implemented together with the Iasi Regional Institute of Oncology. They refer to two major problems in precision colorectal cancer and lung cancer screening.  We managed to integrate these teams with modern diagnostic and precision screening possibilities. We also address the spectrum of microbial flora in patients with colorectal cancer. These projects are under implementation,” said Ruslan Baltaga.

According to him, another call for crossborder project proposals is to be made and they will address common issues typical not only of Moldova but also of Romania. “Among these issues is the creation of conditions for diagnosing cancer at early stages, which will ensure more efficient treatment and even curative, therapeutic effect, the removal of the problem. This way, we intend to develop a lung cancer screening project as lung cancer is detected late in 30% of the cases. This problem is common all over the region. Cooperation in pediatric oncology is another example of cooperation with the mates from Romania,” stated Ruslan Baltaga.

The pandemic and the war in Ukraine made the medical institutions in Moldova and Romania to further combine forces within projects coordinated by international organizations.

“We provide medical services in a very complex framework, with multiple partners. Within a project, the Oncology Institute’s possibilities were assessed and, when we can, we treat patients in the Republic of Moldova, while when we do not have capacities or there are waiting lists, these patients are consulted by an international tumor board, consisting primarily of specialists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania and also from other countries, who speak Romanian. When it is possible, these patients are transferred for treatment to Romania, to difference centers that accept to treat them, and they return to the Republic of Moldova and are supervised here. The agenda of projects is very large. We would like it continue at least at the same level. We cooperate in all the clinical areas. All the specialists can say this as cooperation has also a human component, of ties, and it goes beyond professional cooperation,” stated Ruslan Baltaga.

According to him, the healthcare workers of Moldova enjoy great openness in Romania. “They are accepted at events in Romania with tax exemptions, with accommodation concessions and many other aspects and details that further expand this professional and human contact,” said the director of the Oncology Institute.

The public debate entitled “Moldovan-Romanian cooperation in healthcare, opened opportunities” was staged in the framework of the project “Double integration through cooperation and information”, which is implemented by IPN News Agency with support from the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania.