How Comrat’s Stroke Centre is saving lives in Moldova
Opened in February 2024, the Primary Stroke Center at Comrat District Hospital has become a landmark in stroke treatment, earning the prestigious “Gold” distinction from the European Stroke Organization.
In its first ten months, doctors successfully performed intravenous thrombolysis on 29 patients who recovered after suffering a stroke.
Fiodor Mitioglo was admitted to Comrat District Hospital with suspected recurrent stroke. Thanks to the new Primary Stroke Center, he received prompt and necessary care.
“The number of strokes has been increasing year by year. Intravenous thrombolysis has been available at our hospital for five years. While we only performed three procedures in the 2000s, we conducted 16 in 2021 and, in the first nine months of this year, completed 29 with good results. More than 50% of patients were discharged with outcomes rated as very good or good, which is considered a success,” stated Ala Harco, coordinator of the Stroke Center in Comrat.
The Primary Stroke Center at Comrat District Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a CT scanner, an electroencephalograph, and telemedicine devices. In its first ten months, the centre managed 157 suspected stroke cases, of which 123 were confirmed as ischemic strokes. Among these, 29 were treated with thrombolysis—a procedure that dissolves blood clots and helps prevent severe brain damage.
“Our hospital has joined the ranks of 13 stroke centres. We are very pleased with this achievement. We received modern equipment, which enables us to quickly examine patients and decide on the best treatment strategy. This is critical for ischemic strokes, where the therapeutic window, which should not exceed 4.5 hours, is the critical period in which we can still help the patient,” explained Nina Răilean, the hospital director.
The Primary Stroke Center at Comrat also serves the populations of the Ceadîr-Lunga and Taraclia districts.
“I travelled from Taraclia to undergo a CT scan. I’m recovering from a stroke. The care here is excellent, the equipment is modern, and the facility is wonderful. Previously, we had to travel to Chișinău, which was very far and difficult to reach. I am very thankful that such a centre has been established here,” said patient Feodora Artiomina.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that, without proper preventive measures, stroke could become the leading cause of mortality by 2030. The Ministry of Health aims to reduce the incidence of strokes by 10% and ensure that at least 90% of patients who arrive at a treatment centre receive care by 2030. The Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in recent years, developing a national network of stroke treatment centres. Currently, there are 13 such centres equipped with modern facilities, including 11 primary centres, one multidisciplinary centre, and one comprehensive centre.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
