The Republic of Moldova will borrow from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development over €36 million for the modernization and improvement of rehabilitation medical services. It is a project that will strengthen the response capacities in case of medical emergencies with increased risk to patients’ lives and health, with a focus on strokes and heart attacks, IPN reports.

The Cabinet approved the ratification of the Agreement with the IBRD, which was signed in Chisinau on June 17, 2024. Lilia Gantea, secretary general of the Ministry of Health, said that the implementation of this project will develop and modernize the departments within the public medical and sanitary institutions and will ensure their equipment with the necessary medical devices. At the same time, preventive health care and health promotion services are to be strengthened, including for the early detection of diseases, and new support programs for such patients will be introduced.

The draft law provides for an initial commission (front-end fee) equal to a quarter of a percent (0.25%) of the loan amount. The commitment fee will be equal to a quarter of a percent (0.25%) per annum of the outstanding balance of the loan. The interest rate will be equal to the reference rate plus the variable margin or rate that can be applied as a result of the conversion. The refund will be made from April 15, 2029 to October 15, 2053.

In the same meeting, a Grant Agreement with the IBRD, signed in Chisinau on June 17, 2024, was ratified. “The grant agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, acting as the implementing entity of the Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, aims to access the grant in the amount of US$5.612 million to ensure the implementation of the project “Improving Moldova’s level of preparedness and response to pandemic by strengthening infrastructure, human resources, supervision and advanced laboratory systems”. The project will focus on financing activities related to the renovation of the infrastructure of the National Public Health Agency, building of additional warehouses, development of the network of public health laboratories and their outfitting with the necessary equipment to ensure the warning and early surveillance functions.