In the Republic of Moldova, over 25,000 people need palliative care designed for those who suffer from incurable advanced or terminal illnesses. 60% of these live in rural areas. To develop the palliative care services nationwide, almost 150 specialist doctors and about 700 medical assistants trained to provide palliative care are needed. The data were presented by the executive director of Angelus Moldova Foundation Valerian Isac in a conference held to complete the project “Strengthening of palliative assistance training capacities” on June 28, IPN reports.
According to Valerian Isac, until 2008 the medical specialists had vague knowledge of palliative care and doctors put up resistance when they dealt with patients with terminal illnesses. During the last few years, the Republic of Moldova made progress in developing the given services. At the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”, the profession of palliative caregiver was introduced in the program of studies. “In rural communities, the services are inaccessible to people who need palliative care. As regards the training of staff, there is yet a lot to be done,” stated Valerian Isac.
The State University of Medicine’s pro-rector Olga Chernetski said the higher number of patients who need palliative care is due to population aging and to the environment in which we live. “Today we face the so-called diseases of civilization, which are greater in number and more varied. Until now we paid not enough attention in our teaching activity to palliative care and this is regrettable,” she said.
Tatiana Zatac, head of the Ministry of Health’s Primary Medical Assistance Division, noted the development of palliative care services is very important. If high-quality services are provided in communities, the burden of hospitals will decrease.
Liliana Gherman, director of the Public Health Department of Soros Foundation Moldova, said the promotion of the concept of palliative care started in 2000. “During the first years, we worked to sensitize different key players so as to increase the capacities of potential service providers in this regard. The implementation of the project was an imperative idea and that force of the medical staff had to be outfitted with knowledge and the necessary skills so as to provide this type of services,” stated Liliana Gherman.
Currently, a home visit to provide palliative care costs 181 lei, while at the hospital 351 lei. Palliative care courses were attended by 43 doctors from district hospitals.
