Prof. Dr. Mihail CIOCANU, Director of the Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău, at FERM 2025: “Emergency investments mean gained time, and time saves lives”
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:
Healthcare and Medical Services in the Moldova Region
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Mihail Ciocanu – Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chișinău
Topic of the presentation:
“Development of operational infrastructure and response capabilities in emergency situations of hospitals in the Moldova region, carried out within Romania–Republic of Moldova cross-border projects”
Prof. Dr. Mihail Ciocanu, Director of the Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău, highlighted the progress made in developing operational infrastructure and emergency response capacities, with a special focus on results achieved through Romania–Republic of Moldova cross-border projects.
A Benchmark of Medical Excellence in the Republic of Moldova
The Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău stands out as a leading institution within Moldova’s healthcare system, thanks to the complexity of its medical activities and its extensive treatment capacity.
With an infrastructure comprising 722 beds, of which 72 are dedicated to intensive care, the institute brings together a medical team consisting of 442 doctors, 163 residents, and approximately 700 nurses.
Each year, over 90,000 patients seek help from the Emergency Department, and the number of surgical interventions exceeds 28,000.
“We are a hospital with a complex profile, serving the entire country for pathologies such as neurosurgery, maxillofacial surgery, or complex trauma.”
Strategic Medical Infrastructure Projects
In recent years, the Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău has implemented a series of major investment projects aimed at modernizing medical infrastructure and increasing emergency response capacity. Among these, four projects stand out for their scale, impact, and international cooperation.
1. SMURD 2 Project (completed in 2023)
Carried out through a Romania–Moldova cross-border partnership, with support from the Department for Emergency Situations of Romania (DSU), the project included:
- Construction of a modern Emergency Unit (UPU), covering over 2,500 m²;
- Integration of state-of-the-art equipment inspired by models in Târgu Mureș and Oslo;
- Attraction of over €4 million from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, following the initial mobilization.
2. Operating Block with 15 Modular Theaters
Developed in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), this project included:
- An investment of approximately €10 million, of which 50% was allocated to an advanced German air purification system;
- High-performance equipment in neurosurgery, endoscopic surgery, and 3D navigation;
- A digital medical imaging integration system, donated by the Japanese side.
3. Reconstruction of the Intensive Care Unit
Funded by the World Bank in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, this project allowed for the expansion and modernization of the hospital’s critical care capacities.
4. National Center for Epileptology
Inaugurated in 2025, the center is dedicated to outpatient care for epilepsy patients and is a national first, both in terms of equipment and specialized teams.
Future: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Currently in the planning stage is an ambitious energy efficiency project targeting the complete reconstruction of the institute’s accommodation infrastructure:
- Targeted area: 100,000 m²;
- Estimated investment value: €26 million.
Best Practices Adopted from Romania and the European Space
The new Emergency Unit at the Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău was designed following a European functional zoning model intended to optimize patient triage and medical intervention:
- Red Zone (critical patients) – 6 beds;
- Yellow Zone (moderate emergencies) – 12 beds;
- Green and Blue Zones (non-critical and observation cases) – 20 beds total.
The unit is equipped with advanced medical technology, including:
CT scanner, MRI, digital X-ray, integrated laboratory, isolation rooms, and rest areas for medical staff.
“We learned from Târgu Mureș how medical workflows should be designed. We saw in Norway how services can be organized in a modern hospital. We applied them at home.”
Lessons Learned in Attracting External Funding
In eight years, the Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău has managed to mobilize over 1 billion Moldovan lei (equivalent to approximately €55–57 million) through strategic development projects.
“We weren’t given these funds – we requested them, justified them, and implemented them. It takes vision, transparency, and dedicated teams,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Mihail Ciocanu, the institute’s director.
According to him, successful fundraising relies on three fundamental principles:
- Aligning projects with global trends in medicine and public health;
- Establishing a dedicated fundraising and implementation team, consisting of 5 full-time experts within the institute;
- Transparency and open partnerships, based on trust and shared goals, in relations with funders and development partners.
Cross-border Cooperation – The Engine of Healthcare Transformation
The SMURD 2 project was a strategic turning point in the development of emergency medical infrastructure in the Republic of Moldova, becoming a catalyst for attracting new international funding.
“Collaboration with Romania helped us show what can be done. We started with €1.2 million and reached €5 million by involving other partners. Romania gave us a model, but also concrete access.”
Through the success of this partnership, the Institute of Emergency Medicine has demonstrated its ability to efficiently absorb external funds and develop projects with national impact.
Strategic Outlook: EU Funds, Modern Hospitals, and Cutting-Edge Surgery
In the medium and long term, as the Republic of Moldova becomes more eligible for European Union structural funds, the Institute outlines an ambitious vision:
- Expanding cross-border partnerships with Romania in the field of emergencies and hospital infrastructure;
- Collaborating with EU university centers to develop expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery;
- Participating in the construction of two new hospitals, in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Conclusions:
The Institute of Emergency Medicine in Chișinău asserts itself as a model of excellence and innovation in healthcare for the entire Moldova region. Through a rigorous strategic approach, development of cross-border partnerships, and focus on patient needs, the institution proves that sustainable progress in the medical system is achievable even in resource-constrained contexts. The experience and results achieved reflect a commitment to quality, efficiency, and adaptability, establishing a benchmark for developing infrastructure and medical services in the region.
