Major upgrade for Bălți Transfusion Center after 5 decades: “Working conditions are no longer sustainable
The National Blood Transfusion Center in Balti, which was built 55 years ago and has never been renovated, is set to undergo rehabilitation. This renovation will be carried out through the Initiative for the Development of Sustainable Public Infrastructure through Energy Efficiency Renovations (INSPIREE) Project. Annually, the center manages over 18,000 blood donations and meets the needs of 14 districts in northern Moldova.
For both doctors and donors, modernization is not merely an investment in facilities and equipment; it is essential for continuing the vital social mission of saving lives.
The institution will undergo a comprehensive energy audit, followed by significant improvements, including thermal insulation of the building, replacement of windows and doors, modernization of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, efficient lighting installation, and the addition of photovoltaic panels.
"The building has never undergone extensive modernization work. Our services encompass everything from donor recruitment to blood testing and storage. The current conditions make it challenging for medical teams to operate, and this rehabilitation is crucial for safely serving the northern region,” stated Silvia Roșca, the director of the National Blood Transfusion Center in Bălți.
Carolina Novac, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, emphasized that the project will help this strategically important institution in northern Moldova reduce energy costs and enhance operational conditions.
The improvements will also positively impact patients. “Energy rehabilitation and modernization of the premises are essential to ensure proper conditions for collecting, processing, testing, and storing blood,” stated Ion Prisăcaru, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health.
External partners note that the investment carries not just technical benefits but also significant social and humanitarian value. “We are pleased to contribute to the modernization of an institution that plays a critical role in the national blood transfusion system and serves tens of thousands of citizens each year,” said Vera Vitkin, the portfolio manager at the German Development Bank (KfW).
The INSPIREE project is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy and the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), funded by a €30 million investment from the French Development Agency and a €38.7 million grant from the German Government through KfW.
In total, 30 public buildings in the Republic of Moldova will be energy rehabilitated as part of the INSPIREE project.
