Ion ȘTEFANOVICI: “The Healthy Moldova program starts with the strategic planning of a county-level map of medical specializations, introducing a new model of healthcare governance”

The North-East Region of Romania, the most populated in the country, with over 4 million inhabitants, faces major systemic challenges in the healthcare sector: outdated medical infrastructure, acute personnel shortages, unequal access to essential services, and a disproportionate dependence on the Iași university center

These realities generate not only social consequences but also economic bottlenecks, affecting quality of life, investment attractiveness, and the functioning of public institutions at the local level.

In this context, Panel 6 – “Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region”, within the framework of the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM 2025), was designed as a platform for in-depth analysis and medium-term planning. The panel takes place over three days and brings together experts from the medical field, public administration, universities, and the private sector to outline clear courses of action that can later be translated into regional public policies.

Ion Ștefanovici: “We have tried to create a balance between the public, private, and academic environments”

Recently invited to a show on Antena 3 Suceava, Ion Ștefanovici, president of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR), provided a detailed picture of the panel’s structure, emphasizing the necessity of balancing voices within the medical system:

“Even from the content of this show, we tried to create a balance between the private environment – represented by Mr. Boca, who has extensive experience not only at the county level – and the public environment, through Mr. Stan, hospital manager at Vatra Dornei, with very good performance.”

Ion Ștefanovici stressed the involvement of the university environment, considering it essential to train a new generation of specialists who will remain in the region. He mentioned the participation of the Faculty of Medicine of the “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, represented by Dean Dr. Covașă, with whom a solid collaboration already exists:

“We place great value on training future healthcare personnel. We took the example of Suceava, because the one from Iași is well known. We are glad to have alongside us the Faculty of Medicine from Suceava, which brings valuable expertise.”

Three days of work – three major themes for the health of Moldova

Panel 6 is organized over three thematic days, each with clear sessions reflecting realities from the field.

Day 1 – Medical infrastructure, equipment, and innovation

“On the first day we will discuss modernizing medical infrastructure, equipment, and access to medicines. Then, in the second session, we will focus on implementing innovative solutions and the challenges of modernization.”

These topics directly address the need for smart investments, including in digitalization, modern technologies, and efficient logistics networks for medicine supply – elements that are sorely missing from small hospitals or peripheral areas of the region.

Day 2 – Human Resources and Unequal Distribution of Specialties

At the center of the second day is the medical staff shortage and the pressure caused by their concentration around Iași:

“Session 1 will focus on the shortage of medical personnel and the distribution of specialties. This is a major problem. For example, residents are excessively concentrated in Iași. I have discussed this drawback with guests from Suceava, Botoșani, Bacău, as well as from Iași, which is experiencing very high regional pressure.”

The CAPDR president also emphasized the fact that Moldova is the only region in the country with over 4 million inhabitants, compared to 2.5 million in other regions, which doubles the pressure on the medical system.

“Let us not forget that the Republic of Moldova sends many patients to Iași as well. This overburdening can no longer continue without a coherent regional strategy.”

Also on the second day, during the third session, the topic of integration of public and private medical services will be addressed, aiming to create a complementary and efficient system, not a fragmented one.

Day 3 – The Map of Medical Specialties, a Tool for Regional Planning

“We very much wanted to imprint a red line on the Forum. This will be the creation of a map of medical specialties in the Moldova Region.”

This map is intended to become a strategic planning tool, forming the basis for decisions on investments, personnel allocation, and attracting specialists to underserved areas.

Extended Participation and Contributions at the Regional Level

Although not all institutions can be physically present at the panel’s proceedings, the format allows for phone interventions and extended collaboration:

• Dr. Diana Cimpoeșu (Emergency Department Iași),

• Dr. Guraliuc (Emergency Department Botoșani),

• A representative of the Suceava County Hospital, who recently took over coordination of a department.

“Each of the guests knows the problems very well, and I am confident that together we will find viable solutions. I hope the proceedings will be fruitful and that we will provide a solid foundation for policies to be applied after 2026,” concluded Ion Ștefanovici.

Panel 6 – Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region has as its main objective the analysis of major challenges in the regional healthcare system and the identification of concrete solutions for modernizing medical infrastructure, increasing equitable access to services, and attracting investments.

Central themes include the expansion and equipping of regional hospitals, digitization of medical units, resolving the personnel crisis through incentives and university involvement, as well as reducing overcrowding in university centers, especially in Iași hospitals.

The panel also focuses on technological innovations – from the introduction of electronic medical records to telemedicine and artificial intelligence – as well as promoting public health and prevention. Invited to the discussions are representatives of the Ministry of Health, hospital managers, university experts, pharmaceutical companies, and international partners, aiming to create an integrated and sustainable framework for the development of the medical sector in the Moldova region.

Program Schedule for Panel 6 – Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region