Oncology Institute launches first MRI anesthesia service
The first anesthesia service for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been inaugurated at the Oncology Institute.
This service is designed to provide high-precision MRI scans for patients who cannot remain still during the procedure—a crucial condition for accurate diagnosis. Direct beneficiaries include young children, anxious patients, and those with various neurological conditions. The project was made possible by an investment exceeding 38 million lei, which funded state-of-the-art equipment and the setup of specialized facilities.
The new service's impact has already been felt by patients' families, according to the mother of a child receiving treatment at the Oncology Institute.
"For us parents, it was a wonderful surprise to learn that such advanced equipment had been donated to the Oncology Institute. The children were invited to the simulation room, where they played various games. Some drew, some painted, and others even tried out the machine; they were very happy. The children were taught that they shouldn't be afraid in the simulation room, that they were safe."
Dr. Marina Palade, an anesthesiologist at the Oncology Institute, stated that the new equipment offers greater comfort and safety for patients, especially children.
"For some, this is an easy procedure, but we as specialists know how important patient cooperation is. This is especially true for pediatric patients, where we often need them to remain still during the procedure. We developed a simulation room so that our little patients can familiarize themselves with the rules and understand the state they will be in when undergoing scans. We explain the procedure in non-medical terms, and I'm glad we could add a touch of empathy, comfort, and safety for our pediatric patients."
To enhance comfort and reduce anxiety among young patients, a pediatric simulation room was set up at the Oncology Institute, where children are psychologically prepared for medical procedures through play, stated Ruslan Baltaga, the Director of the Oncology Institute in the capital. He mentioned they were inspired by a medical institution in the Netherlands.
"We created a multifunctional space within the Oncology Institute, utilizing an old, decommissioned MRI machine donated by the Emergency Medicine Institute. We designed this multifunctional space as a child-friendly zone, aiming to help them get acquainted with the MRI machine and reduce anxiety and fear, not just for the children but for their parents as well. We also integrated a functional space for pediatric anesthesia. We installed medical gas networks throughout the entire radiotherapy block, which now allows us to provide anesthesia not only for MRI scans but also for pediatric radiotherapy procedures."
The installation of this equipment marks a crucial step in modernizing the national medical infrastructure and aligning it with international standards of care, highlighted Ala Nemerenco, Minister of Health.
The new service is equipped with a 3 Tesla MRI machine, which is unique in its performance across the entire country and is furthermore adapted to the complex requirements of oncology patients, especially children. The total investment for this project amounts to over 38 million lei. The 3 Tesla MRI equipment cost 34 million lei, funded by the Ministry of Health. All renovation work, electrical cabling, and anesthetic equipment cost 3.52 million lei, which the Oncology Institute covered from its own funds.
Since the launch of the anesthesia service for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at the Oncology Institute, 7 children have already enjoyed its benefits.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
