The persons suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta, also know as the glass-bone disease, have to go abroad for an operation. Such surgeries can be performed in Moldova too, but the national medical institutions do not have the necessary equipment.
Contacted by IPN, Doctor of Medicine Sergiu Ojog, lecturer at the State University of Medicine and Pharmaceutics “Nicolae Testemitanu”, said the number of persons who suffer from osteogenesis imperfecta is not known as nobody monitors these cases. Being a genetic disorder, the number of persons with such a disease changes from year to year.
“12 years ago we operated a person diagnosed with the glass-bone disease. It was curious that the patient had a twin brother who was born perfectly healthy. These patients have metal rods inserted in the long bones to improve strength. Technically, it is not a difficult operation, but the equipment we have does not enable to perform such surgeries,” said Sergiu Ojog. An operation of the kind abroad costs about €10,000. This amount does not include the hospitalization costs.
The persons with osteogenesis imperfecta live for 35 years on average. Sergiu Ojog said these persons’ length of life can be extended and their lifestyle is very important in this respect.
