The screening of diabetes will be available, starting September 25, at the first specialized center in Moldova, which will operate within the National Clinical Hospital. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Natalia Palarie, head of the National Center for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Diabetes Related Complications, said such a center is necessary for Moldova, especially since the number of people diagnosed with diabetes grows annually. The goal of the project is to prevent loss of eyesight and leg amputations for patients with diabetes, through creating a National Screening Program, to include the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes-related issues. Additionally, a mobile unit will be appointed which will include mobile equipment for the tracing and treatment of ocular and podiatric, or foot-related aggravations. Viorica Volcov, members of the Youth with Diabetes Association, told Info-Prim Neo that Moldova has over 60,000 patients with diabetes, including 12,000 insulin-dependent ones. “The annual number of diabetics rises by about 6,000. After 10-15 years of uncontrolled diabetes half of the patients get ocular, renal, or lower limb aggravations. In reality, the number of people with diabetes is 3 times larger, when accounting for unregistered cases. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that 9 out every 100 Moldovans have diabetes”, added Volcov. The screening will be available for free, based on medical insurance and recommendation from the family doctor. According to specialists’ financial estimates, the costs of preventing (education and self-control) diabetes-related aggravations are 8 times smaller than the treatment costs.