Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, amost one million refugees (UNHCR, 2023) have fled the country to Moldova. Starting from April 2022, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has intervened to both bring support to the displaced population in Moldova through Emergency Medical Teams and to foster the preparedness of health professionals through neonatal emergency trainings.
On February 8th our team on the ground have guided the Ambassador to the Holy See – Joe Donnelly in a on-site visit to see first-hand CUAMM’s response to the refugee crisis. The visit started at the Institul Mama şi Copilul IMSP (Mother and Child Institute) in Chișinău which cooperated with CUAMM in offering specialized training on neonatal emergency from June to August 2023.
«It is a priviledge to support CUAMM’s work in Italy and I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about its work in Moldova– said Ambassador Joe Donnelly during the visit at the IMSP. Providing training for medical personnel dealing with neonatal emergencies is an investment in the future of the children».
The training, designed in collaboration with the MoH and implemented in collaboration with the IMSP, was structured in three phases with the ultimate goal of fostering capabilities on emergency neonatal resuscitation and stabilization among local medical staff. It was offered in 7 regional hospitals where multidisciplinary team ranging from 12 to 20 individuals had been engaged for a total of around 100 local doctors trained. In addition, training and mentorship activities have also been implemented in order to ensure adequate leadership during the emergency response.
The visit at the Department of neonatology gave the Ambassador the occasion to meet both health workers; Dr. Sergiu Gladun – Director of the facility and Dr. Larisa Crivceanscaia – Head of the Neonatal Department and President of the perinatal medicine association of the Republic of Moldova whose commitment and collaboration was key during the activities.
In addition to specialized training, CUAMM intervention has also ensured basic medical care to more than 1,800 Ukrainian refugees (both adults and children) accomodated in RAC Testemitanu 6. Testemitanu is one of the 44 RACs opened by the Moldovan government during the crisis, it currently hosts around 200 people among which both Ukranian refugees and third country nationals. Health services were offered at the centre from Monday to Friday since April 2022, thanks to the support of 32 Italian volunteer medical doctors plus local doctors and nurses with different competencies ranging from internal medicine to cardiology to intensive care and paediatrics, etc. Among the services provided: health screening and outpatient activities; drugs distribution and storage monitoring that made it possible not only to ensure continuity of care but also prevent the already fragile Moldovan health structures from being overwhelmed by the influx of refugees.
«As CUAMM we are committed to respond to humanitarian crisis both in Africa, Europe and Italy to reaffirm the right to health and protection for all – said Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations at CUAMM. Nowadays, contribution and partnership with governments, international partners, local actors and private sector is key to address present and future crisis and to stand with the most vulnerable, anywhere at any time. For this reason, we are thankful to the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and to Ambassador Joe Donnelly for renewing the support».
Ambassador Donnelly has recently paid a visit to the suburbs of Foggia, Apulia where CUAMM is working to strengthen healthcare services for migrant and refugee communities thanks to funds from the US programme “Julia Taft”. The visit to Moldova was not only a fruitful occasion for sharing experiences and results but it also reaffirmed the importance of multi-level collaboration in time of crisis.
