Moldova’s health sector will benefit from a technical assistance project to the value of €3 million, financed by the European Commission and implemented by the World Health Organization, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The reformation of the health system is one of the European Union’s priorities. Until now, the European Commission has financed a wide range of projects. The €3.8 million provided by the EU in 2009 was used to purchase equipment for 187 primary medical institutions, mainly from rural areas,” the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Dirk Schuebel told a news conference. “The project is an excellent occasion for cooperation between the main donor institution – the EU, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health.” For his part, Minister of Health Vladimir Hotineanu said the project will provide assistance in working out a mechanism for monitoring the performance of the health system, making specific studies to help take decisions, reviewing the legal and normative framework on public health, strengthening the capacity of the managers and specialists in public health, carrying out nationwide campaigns on smoke and alcohol abuse prevention. The project will last for three years. “The planned activities are aimed at adjusting the legislation on public health to the European practices, using the EU’s and the WHO’s experience, and improving the health system,” said Pavel Ursu, the head of the WHO Office in Moldova. Moldova will receive €46.6 million in financial assistance from the EU. €46 million will be disbursed in four yearly tranches. €4.6 million was earmarked for technical assistance, €3 million of which for the given project.