Moldova's digital health struggles and the push for EHR
Fewer than 10% of Moldovan citizens have access to their own digital medical data, which is seven times lower than the EU average, according to the Digital Decade 2030 program.
Only a quarter of medical documentation is digitized, and the lack of a functional Electronic Health Record (EHR) hinders rapid access to a patient's history and affects care continuity, as shown in a report from the Ministry of Health. Doctors complain that the current system is slow and difficult to access, while authorities aim to implement an EHR for 80% of patients by 2030.
Moldova already has a digital medical data system, "SIA AMP," which provides registered patients with an electronic file. However, access to information is limited and sometimes difficult, according to Viorica Trofimova, the interim head of a department at the Family Doctors' Center No. 1. She believes that the digital format is superior to paper because it saves time and facilitates quick access to medical history, provided the platforms work efficiently.
"The Ministry plans to increase the storage space, which will allow for a larger amount of information to be stored. Like any new system, it takes time to get used to it. Once learned, it becomes much more practical than the paper version. Of course, this is provided the portals work correctly. The main advantage is saving time and easier access to information. There's no longer a need to get details by phone or wait for the patient to bring the documents. In the past, the patient kept their medical file at home, and we had to search for the necessary information. Now, we can directly enter the system and see the data we need," Viorica Trofimova told Radio Moldova.
Outdated digital infrastructure, fragmented existing platforms, and a lack of integration with government systems (MConnect, MPass, MSign) lead to inefficiency and low data quality, as stated in the National Program for Digitalization and Innovation in Healthcare 2026–2030, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and is currently in public consultation.
Andrei Prisacari, head of the e-Government Agency, announces that an Electronic Health Record is in the process of being created. This will connect all medical data into a single, personalized account accessible to every citizen. The new system will integrate information from e-Prescriptions and medical certificate management, allowing rapid access to medical history for patients, doctors, and employers. Existing platforms will be rewritten and unified, and data will be standardized according to international criteria so that it can be used across borders.
"This is especially important in cases where payments need to be made, given the existing problems in the current system. We are pushing things forward to support this sector so that healthcare digitalization can reach a high level," Andrei Prisacari emphasized.
Digitalization expert Victor Guzun points out that most citizens do not have full control over their own medical data, as it is dispersed among public and private institutions. For a functional digital medical ecosystem, it is essential for all institutions to enter data, to secure this data, and to have a secure mechanism for authentication and digital signature. Currently, fewer than 15% of citizens have a digital certificate, the expert added.
"First of all, there I can see absolutely all the tests. And every medical worker can see all the medical tests I've undergone or the interventions I've had. Or, for example, for dentistry, which tooth has been treated and what was done, and what the need for future interventions is. Also there, I can see all the medications, whether they are compensated or not, all the prescriptions. And then, a doctor, when assessing my health status and prescribing a new medication, knows exactly which medications have been issued to the patient—in this case, to me—and can perform an analysis and prescribe different medications if the previous treatment didn't work," Victor Guzun told us.
Estonia is a relevant example concerning citizens' access to their digital medical data, offering a functional model of security and control over personal health information, where citizens' access to such data is 100%, Victor Guzun adds.
"Thus, every person has access to their medical information through the patient portal. Furthermore, medical data is extremely well-protected, much more secure than other types of personal information. The platform allows users to manage access to their data, giving them the option to allow access to all doctors, only the family doctor, or to restrict access for certain categories of specialists. In this way, citizens maintain control over their own data, unlike the current situation where health information is often kept on paper, with increased risks regarding security and unauthorized access," the expert added.
The national program predicts that by 2030, at least half of medical institutions will offer telemedicine services, and for 30% of citizens to be using integrated applications to access data, make appointments, receive notifications, and communicate with medical staff.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
