Public health funds in Moldova save 6,800+ lives via heart surgery
Over 6,800 people received a second chance at life thanks to cardiovascular surgeries funded by the mandatory health insurance system.
According to the National Health Insurance House (CNAM), 417 million lei (MDL) were allocated last year to fund these procedures. This funding covered over 4,900 minimally invasive procedures for adults with conditions like myocardial infarction (heart attack), and approximately 1,900 cardiac surgeries were performed.
Lavrentii Zadorojnîi is 63 years old and is from the city of Cahul. He has undergone surgery twice. His first procedure was in 2014, when he was diagnosed with endocarditis, a bacterial infection affecting the heart valves. Recently, he had another surgery.
"Last year, in the fall, I started feeling bad again. I started getting tired quickly and realized something wasn't right. I need to move more, that's the most important thing," said Lavrentii Zadorojnîi.
Nicolae Covalciuc is a driver. He continues to work, although he is retired. The man says he went to the doctor after suddenly feeling unwell.
"I noticed my legs weren't working properly, and I sought help at various clinics. I was in a lot of pain, pain so intense it made me desperate. The pain was immense," the man said.
At the Institute of Cardiology, approximately 320 cardiovascular surgeries were performed last year. For insured persons, these are free of charge. According to doctors, among the first symptoms of cardiovascular diseases are difficulty breathing, chest pain, and heart palpitations.
"The risk factors for cardiovascular disease are numerous: hypertension, smoking, an unhealthy lifestyle. Also, obesity and diabetes. Unfortunately, recent history indicates that cardiovascular diseases are affecting younger people," explained Oxana Priscu, a cardiologist.
According to CNAM, the cost of a treated case ranges from approximately 55,000 lei (MDL) per minimally invasive procedure for adults up to 83,000 lei (MDL) for cardiac surgeries.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
