Moldova merges hospitals, streamlining management but sparking job concerns
In a move aimed at bolstering efficiency and reducing costs, the Moldovan government has merged Chisinau's Toma Ciorba Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Dermatology and Communicable Diseases Hospital.
However, the consolidation has reignited concerns about job security and potential disruptions in patient care among medical professionals.
Health Minister Ala Nemerenco defended the merger, citing the need to "optimize expenses" and "streamline administrative processes," particularly redundant leadership positions. "When two institutions become one, there's no need for two directors or four deputy directors," she explained.
Nemerenco addressed anxieties regarding healthcare workers, assuring, "Medical staff are not being laid off. They will be relocated within the new structure." This echoed her previous statement: "I've repeated it a hundred times: they will be situated where they are now."
Despite the Minister's assurances, some doctors remain apprehensive. An unnamed physician voiced concerns about potential service disruptions, stating, "No patient with a serious infectious disease should be denied care by infectious disease specialists."
Further fueling unease is the uncertainty surrounding the new hospital's leadership. When pressed about potential candidates, Nemerenco categorically stated, "No one from the current leadership will be selected," hinting at a lack of confidence in the existing managerial team.
While the government touts the merger's potential to improve healthcare delivery, the move has undoubtedly generated unease among medical personnel. Balancing cost-efficiency with maintaining robust patient care remains a key challenge as Moldova navigates its healthcare reform landscape.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
