VIDEO // Moldovan health minister says regional hospitals from Cahul, Balti expected to be completed by 2031

The construction of regional hospitals in Cahul and Balti is a complex process involving multiple stages and tenders, Health Minister Emil Ceban said today. According to him, the previously announced deadlines (2028–2029) no longer align with the real situation and the completion of the projects is now estimated for 2031.

The minister, after the Cabinet meeting, said that the situation of the two hospitals was different.

“The Cahul hospital is being built on the site of an existing hospital, while the one in Balt is located on a different site, requiring additional work and tenders. The tenders involve complex evaluations, and some procedures have to be sometimes suspended or restarted, which prolongs the process. Presently, management and implementation teams are being reorganized, and the design is being adjusted to save time and resources,” the official said.

The minister also addressed the doctor shortage crisis in hospitals.

“This has persisted since the early '90s, when many young doctors left to practice abroad. To retain specialists in Moldova, allowances for young doctors working in the field have been significantly increased,” Ceban added.

The minister emphasized the need to do everything possible to support the medical system in the field and ensure the continuity of services for the population.

Emil Ceban also referred to preventing drug use among young people, highlighting the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and youth organizations. The goal is to develop educational and preventive programmes in schools, with a focus on at-risk individuals. The minister highlighted introducing medical checks and special evaluations for young people applying for a driving license as part of preventive measures, stressing that the intervention must be carried out in collaboration with the community and educational institutions. Ceban said that he was not prepared to support the idea of introducing drug tests in schools.





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