New MRI unit at Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute to perform 3,000 scans a year
Patients at the "Diomid Gherman" Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Chisinau will now have access to 3 Tesla nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) examinations. This advanced equipment, valued at 34.7 million lei, was purchased by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Bank.
Vladimir Dolghi, the director of the medical institution, announced on Monday during the inauguration of the MRI Cabinet that the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery consults approximately 27,000 patients each year, with 7,000 receiving specialized medical treatment. The opening of the MRI Cabinet will enhance the variety of high-performance services available to patients.
"This system is highly anticipated and greatly welcomed. It will enable us to conduct up to 3,000 examinations annually for patients in need of these services,” stated Vladimir Dolghi.
The Acting Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, highlighted that the project was complex, with the primary challenge being integrating new equipment into the institution's outdated infrastructure. This integration required numerous adjustments.
"This space will continue to undergo renovation and repair works. However, what is most important is that we now have this magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cabinet, which will become a vital part of this esteemed tertiary institute and will directly contribute to saving patients' lives," the minister stated.
The newly installed equipment enables high-performance investigations, which are essential for the work of neurologists and neurosurgeons.
"Firstly, it provides exceptional quality images that allow for thorough exploration of neurological and neurosurgical conditions. This enhancement is not just about speed; it's also about the quality of medical services," Ala Nemerenco added.
According to the minister, over the past three years, investments in the modernization of medical institutions in the Republic of Moldova have surpassed four billion lei. The Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery is one of the beneficiaries and is currently involved in an energy efficiency project initiated by the Ministry of Energy.
"Significant renovations will take place here, completely changing the appearance of the institute," the acting minister emphasized.
Up to 3,000 MRI examinations will be conducted annually, all covered by the mandatory health insurance funds.
"We want the medical services provided to the insured population to be timely and of the highest quality, so patients do not have to pay out of their own pockets to seek care from other institutions, whether public or private, that they trust more," declared Ion Dodon, the director of the National Health Insurance Company.
An MRI Cabinet was also inaugurated at the Mother and Child Institute in late September. The 1.5 Tesla MRI machine – the first installed in a pediatric institution in the country – was purchased by the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Bank, at an investment value of 25.6 million lei.
