Heart transplants are a strategic priority for the Ministry of Health
The heart transplant program is a strategic priority for the Ministry of Health, even though such procedures are not yet performed in the Republic of Moldova. The estimated need for this program is between 20 to 25 patients annually, with potential for growth. This information was shared by the Minister of Health, Emil Ceban, during the inaugural conference of the National Program "Heart Transplant in the Republic of Moldova," which took place on November 25 at the Republican Clinical Hospital "Timofei Moșneaga."
The event marked a historic moment in advancing cardiology and cardiac surgery, bringing together medical authorities and experts from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Germany, and Ukraine.
A significant highlight of the conference was the signing of memorandums of cooperation between the “Nicolae Testemiţanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the “Timofei Moșneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital, and the Heart Institute of Ukraine. These documents outline provisions for collaboration in cardiology, cardiac and vascular surgery, transplantology, specialist exchanges, joint research projects, and access to modern medical technologies.
In his speech, Minister Emil Ceban emphasized that the launch of the national heart transplant program represents “a strategic commitment” of the Ministry of Health.
The Minister outlined the priority action points: developing a national program aligned with European standards, establishing a specialized center with a dedicated team capable of performing a minimum number of heart transplant operations annually, and training surgeons and coordinators at international reference centers.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral and trilateral partnerships with centers of excellence in Ukraine, Romania, the European Union, and other countries.
The conference featured presentations and themed discussions by cardiac surgeons and international experts, covering topics such as cardiac donation and transplantation, challenges of interventions in wartime conditions, transplantation from donors in circulatory death, extracorporeal technologies, pediatric transplantation, and post-transplant echocardiography.
The Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to international partners for their support and reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the necessary infrastructure for the successful implementation and sustainable operation of the national heart transplant program. This initiative is a decisive step toward modernizing the medical system and saving the lives of patients in the Republic of Moldova.
The inaugural conference for the national program “Heart Transplant in the Republic of Moldova” was organized in partnership with the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Transplant Agency, the “Timofei Moșneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital, professional associations, and international specialists in cardiac surgery and transplantology.
