International cervical cancer prevention week launched in Chișinău

International Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, a campaign aimed at significantly reducing the impact of this disease among women in the Republic of Moldova was launched on 26 January in Chișinău. The campaign is addressed to women in the Republic of Moldova, including citizens living abroad, and aims to inform them about the possibility of undergoing screening and HPV vaccination, essential measures for the prevention of cervical cancer.

The objectives of the campaign, according to the Ministry of Health, focus on increasing vaccination coverage against the HPV virus, ensuring broad access to routine screening through cytology tests, and guaranteeing that women diagnosed with precancerous lesions or cancer are included in treatment.


“The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to continue implementing prevention policies, early detection policies, and policies to improve treatment effectiveness. We have the vaccine that protects against cervical cancer and we aim to reach every woman so that she understands that prevention through vaccination is an effective tool. We also talk about cytological screening for eligible women, in order to detect precancerous lesions early and include them in treatment as soon as possible. We have developed a national colposcopy network through 12 centers at national level, which provide specialized services and training for specialists. We aim to achieve the 90-70-90 target: a 90% vaccination rate, 70% cytology coverage and 90% inclusion in treatment. Through this campaign we want to inform all women, including those in the diaspora, about the possibility of undergoing screening and HPV vaccination, in order to prevent cervical cancer,” stated State Secretary of the Ministry of Health Angela Paraschiv.


The National Health Insurance Company (CNAM) aims to simplify and speed up the process of early detection of cervical cancer by integrating the screening module with the governmental notification service. This automation will allow fast and direct notification of women eligible for the cytology test, reducing the risk that someone might be missed.


“Automation makes the process simpler, faster and significantly reduces the risk that any person might be overlooked. Technology thus becomes a direct ally in the early detection of the disease. I extend a heartfelt call to all women in our country: trust the system and value your life. When you receive the notification or the invitation from the doctor, do not postpone it! Go to your family doctor. The cytology test takes only a few minutes, is done once every three years, and is completely free. It is the most important act of care you can do for yourself and for your family. Early detection of cervical cancer is a team effort: the Ministry of Health provides the vision, the National Health Insurance Company ensures the resources and digital solutions, and the final decision belongs to the patient, guided by the doctor,” said General Director of the National Health Insurance Company Ion Dodon.




Through the Diaspora Relations Bureau, Moldovan citizens living abroad are informed about and actively involved in the cervical cancer prevention campaign. This year, the campaign has been expanded through the use of broader tools and networks, involving various leaders from diaspora communities.


“Right from the first days, our citizens abroad responded with interest to the call addressed to the leaders of the associations and communities we cooperate with, taking part in public and online events and promoting the message about the importance of prevention. So far, 21 diaspora leaders from 10 countries have joined the campaign, contributing to raising awareness and informing young women about the modern prevention methods available in the Republic of Moldova. The active involvement of the diaspora is an important step in promoting health and prevention among our citizens,” stated the representative of the Diaspora Relations Bureau.


Director of the Oncology Institute in Chișinău Ruslan Baltaga outlined the possibilities that the Republic of Moldova offers for the detection and treatment of cervical cancer.


“The Republic of Moldova has everything that a mature system can have for the prevention and management of this type of cancer. We have primary prevention through education and screening, secondary prevention through cytology tests, digitalization and information systems, regionalization and easy access to detection, as well as treatment of precancerous lesions. Diagnosis is covered nationwide, without financial restrictions for the necessary procedures. There are also modern treatment options, including radiotherapy, brachytherapy, rehabilitation systems, international partnerships and financial coverage through insurance companies. All of this is coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the National Cancer Control Program,” the director said.


According to the Ministry of Health, around 660,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 350,000 deaths are recorded annually worldwide. In the Republic of Moldova, about 300 new cases and 150 deaths are registered every year, which means that every three days a woman loses the battle with this disease.