Dr. Marian-George MELINTE-POPESCU, gastroenterology specialist, at FERM 2025: “It takes 10 years to train a doctor. The strategy for 2030 must start today.”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region
Speaker:
Dr. Marian-George Melinte Popescu – Lecturer at USV, Suceava; Specialist in Gastroenterology
Topic of the speech:
“Human resource development and telemedicine integration – strategic pillars for a sustainable healthcare system in the Moldova Region”
Dr. Marian-George Melinte-Popescu, lecturer at “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava and specialist in gastroenterology, delivered a remarkable speech during Panel 6 – Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region.
Starting from the general theme of the forum – Moldova 2030: a new strategic vision –, Dr. Melinte-Popescu argued clearly and in-depth that the development of healthcare in the region cannot be separated from medical education and long-term human resource training.
“A doctor, from the first day of medical school to becoming a specialist, takes 10 years. Therefore, the 2030 objective should start today, in 2035”
Health Education: a Key Pillar for Regional Strategy
Dr. Melinte-Popescu emphasized that, in building a regional health strategy, an integrated vision of education and health is essential. Continuous training of professionals – from nurses, physiotherapists, and pharmacists to general practitioners and specialists – requires a long-term investment of time and resources that must begin immediately.
“You can construct a building in 2–3 years if funding is good. A doctor takes 10 years to train. That’s why we must already talk about 2035, not just 2030,” he explained, highlighting the gap between the current system’s needs and the slow pace of specialist training.
Telemedicine – a Practical Solution for Underserved Areas
Another strategic direction proposed by the Suceava doctor is the development and institutionalization of telemedicine as a practical solution for rural areas and regions where family medicine is declining. With an average age of 60, family doctors in Romania are an alarmingly decreasing resource, and telemedicine can provide patients with access to specialist consultations without costly travel or unnecessary overcrowding of emergency services.
“All that’s needed is a laptop, a camera, and a professional listening at the other end. But there must be a clear protocol, with defined duties and responsibilities”
In his opinion, for this system to function efficiently, it is essential that family doctors can collaborate directly with specialist doctors from county or municipal hospitals in the region through a well-organized contractual system.
“We should not wait for a doctor from Timișoara. We must organize regionally. Here, in Moldova”
Electronic Health Record and Chronic Patient Monitoring
In addition to facilitating rapid diagnosis and access to expertise, telemedicine could contribute to monitoring chronic patients if integrated with a unique electronic patient record. Such a solution would allow doctors from anywhere in the country to track patient progress, adjust medications, and plan necessary investigations.
“Everything can be solved with simple access to a digital platform, bringing enormous benefits to society, both financially and humanly”
Artificial Intelligence – Complement, Not Replacement
In a more technological register, Dr. Melinte-Popescu discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of medicine. While AI is already part of diagnostic processes in radiology, dermatology, and laboratories, he cautioned that technology cannot fully replace the human factor.
“All the values provided by AI must be clinically validated by a specialist. AI is a tool, not a replacement”, he said, advocating for a balanced approach between digitalization and qualified human presence.
Academic Partnerships for Educational Excellence
At the end of his intervention, Dr. Melinte-Popescu emphasized the role of international academic partnerships in improving medical education quality in Suceava. The Faculty of Medicine at USV is part of a collaboration network with universities in France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic, offering students access to experience exchanges, modern educational resources, and European-level expertise.
“Comprehensive, multidisciplinary universities are the ones that will benefit. In Suceava, we are just a meter away from colleagues in IT or Law, and this type of collaboration helps us enormously”
Conclusion
Dr. Marian-George Melinte-Popescu’s speech successfully synthesized, in a clear and engaged manner, the main challenges and strategic solutions for the future of healthcare in the Moldova Region. From the need for long-term human resource training to the immediate applicability of telemedicine and the integration of technology in education and practice, his speech was a lucid call for vision, coherence, and collective responsibility.
