The Clinical Hospital for Children “Valentin Ignatenco” in Chisinau has received a state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) machine thanks to a 12 million lei donation from the Government of Japan.

Attending the inauguration ceremony, Ion Prisăcaru, state secretary at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of the new machine in light of the fact that Valentin Ignatenco Hospital is responsible for all pediatric surgical emergencies in Chisinau. This is the second CT machine installed in a pediatric-specific hospital in Moldova, with the first going to the Mother and Child Institute.

President Maia Sandu, also in attendance, thanked the Japanese ambassador on behalf of all Moldovans for the support in buying the machine. According to the president, the state has embarked on a major effort to modernize the medical system, and even if it is trying to identify resources, things would take place more slowly if there was no support from our country’s development partners.

Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova Yamada Yoichiro noted that the grant agreement was signed in December 2020, in the midst of the pandemic crisis. He expressed his gratitude to the work of medical workers. According to him, thanks to the altruism of doctors, people can enjoy life as before 2020. The ambassador stated that the whole world noticed how warmly the refugees from Ukraine were received after the war. The ambassador said that Japan wants to participate in the reconstruction of the medical system initiated by the Minister of Health, but also that it supports Moldova’s efforts to join the EU.

Alexandru Holostenco, director of Valentin Ignatenco Hospital, noted that the tomograph will increase the quality of medical services in the institution.