Moldova to have first iodotherapy center for thyroid cancer

The Republic of Moldova will, for the first time, have an iodotherapy center aimed at treating thyroid cancer. Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco made the statement during a program broadcast on Radio Moldova. The official emphasized the importance of launching this medical service, noting that currently patients have to go abroad to benefit from iodotherapy, with costs covered by the state.


“It's a very expensive service that no ministry or government has developed until now. It is a treatment used for the treatment of oncological pathologies of the thyroid gland. Until now, our patients had to go abroad: to Ukraine, Romania, or Turkey, to get this treatment. Lately, most patients have chosen Romania,” explained Nemerenco.


The minister stated that the center will be integrated within the Oncology Institute and will represent a significant step in the development of oncological treatment services in the country.


“This will be the first iodotherapy center in the Republic of Moldova. Our goal is for patients to no longer have to travel abroad for treatment and to benefit from modern services in the country, in a much shorter time and at lower costs for them and the state,” said Nemerenco.


The Minister of Health also stated that currently, the state covers the medical expenses of patients who need to go abroad for thyroid cancer treatment when this type of therapy is not available in the Republic of Moldova.


“We found resources in a ministry fund, from which we can reimburse these costs when the doctor's conclusion shows that there are no treatments available for that type of cancer in the Republic of Moldova. Patients bring us the receipts, and a ministry commission examines the requests. It's a small fund, approximately five million lei, but we try to distribute it efficiently,” explained the minister.


However, according to Ala Nemerenco, the state cannot reimburse the expenses related to transport or accommodation of patients during treatment abroad.

In the Republic of Moldova, oncological diseases are one of the main causes of death, continuously increasing over the last decade. According to data from the Ministry of Health and the Oncology Institute, over 10,000 new cases of cancer are registered each year, and approximately 5,000 people lose their lives due to these diseases. The most common forms of cancer are: breast cancer, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer.

Specialists warn that over 60% of cancer cases are detected in advanced stages, when chances of recovery diminish considerably.