Orhei hospital launches regional cancer treatment center
Cancer patients in the Orhei region no longer need to travel to the capital, Chisinau, for chemotherapy. The Orhei District Hospital has officially integrated specialized oncology treatments into its medical services.
This initiative aims to reduce the physical fatigue and emotional stress associated with long-distance travel for vulnerable patients. Since the program's launch in December 2025, over ten patients have already received localized treatment.
A shift toward patient-centered care
Angela Simion, 54, has been battling cervical cancer since 2019. After years of commuting to the Oncology Institute in Chisinau for 23 radiotherapy sessions and multiple chemotherapy cycles, she now receives care minutes from home.
"For six years, I traveled to the capital for every check-up. When doctors detected metastases recently, the prospect of traveling every five days was daunting," Simion explained. "Receiving treatment here in Orhei allows me to recover at home immediately after the session."
Strategic decentralization of oncology
The new service operates under the strict guidance of the multidisciplinary oncological council at the National Oncology Institute. Local specialists, led by oncologist Dmitrii Cojuhari, administer personalized protocols, including chemo and immunotherapy.
"We develop individual schemes for each patient. Once the treatment cycles are completed, patients return to the central Institute for a final evaluation," said Dr. Cojuhari.
Expanding the national medical network
Pavel Cristalov, Vice Director of the Orhei District Hospital, emphasized that this move is part of a national strategy to bring specialized medical acts closer to the citizens' homes.
Similar oncology services are currently operational in the Florești, Sângerei, and Briceni districts. The Ministry of Health plans to continue this expansion to ensure equitable access to life-saving treatment across the country.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
