The kidney transplant operations will become available in Moldova from this autumn. Deputy Minister of Health Viorel Soltan told a news conference that the transplantation of other organs, tissues and cells will become possible gradually, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The transplantation of organs and tissues is an indicator of the development of the health system. The better the organ transplant, the more developed is the healthcare sector. We consider that the health system in Moldova is developed and the population deserves having access to such services,” said Viorel Soltan. Kidneys had been transplanted in Moldova between 1981 and 2003, but the process was suspended in order to improve the legislation. A Transplant Agency was set up in 2010. “The legislation on transplantation was examined by experts of the Council of Europe and it currently covers all the necessities that existed before,” said the deputy minister. Director of the Transplant Agency Igor Codreanu said a part of the specialists are ready to start work, while the rest are to be trained abroad. A kidney transplant operation in Moldova will cost between €15,000 and €20,000. The patients with health insurance will benefit from free transplant, but will have to be put on a waiting list. Initially, the transplant will be taken from living donors. The relatives and close persons can donate a kidney. According to the Ministry of Health, about 400 persons undergo renal dialysis at present. It would be ideal if each of them benefited from transplant so that they do not depend on dialysis. The news conference was given on the occasion of the opening in Chisinau of a workshop themed “Cooperation between the Black Sea Basin Countries in the Development of Activities concerning Transplant of Organs, Tissues and Cells”. The workshop is attended by transplant specialists from nine countries.