Support 150 Tuberculosis Patients in Moldova

As a non-government organization (NGO), Speranta Terrei follows national directives in conducting tuberculosis (TB) control activities in Moldova. The Moldovan government is promoting increased TB detection through screening among vulnerable groups. Moldova’s national health insurance company, known by its Romanian acronym CNAM (Compania Nationala de Asigurari in Medicina), contracts with Speranta Terrei to screen in two districts, Ialoveni and Calarasi.

Speranta Terrei collaborates with local public authorities, primary healthcare centers, and phthisiopulmonologists to reach vulnerable groups with TB detection and treatment support services. Doctors at primary healthcare centers make a list of persons to be screened, according to such categories as contact of TB patient, underlying pulmonary disease, lung changes, alcohol abuse, active smoker, migrant worker, homeless person, and diabetic. Our screening manager, Margarita, schedules with local doctors so that her team can travel 160-230 kilometers each way and return to Balti in the evening. Their day is long. It starts with meeting patients at the village medical center, taking them to the district health center for x-rays, staying with them to consult phthisiopulmonologists, and dropping off patients in villages after the consultation. The team psychologist, Valerii, talks to patients who are startled at their potential diagnosis or hesitant to start treatment. Margarita says, “thanks to our organization’s involvement, two patients who were strongly against treatment were convinced of the need for timely therapy and were admitted to the Institute of Phthisiopulmonology in Chisinau to begin anti-TB treatment.”

Speranta Terrei’s TB screening in Ialoveni and Calarasi districts is nearing the end, with 500 persons screened in Ialoveni and 400 persons screened in Calarasi. Four TB cases are confirmed and 36 cases with signs of TB await laboratory results. Dr. Ruslan, the phthisiopulmonologist in Ialoveni said, “socioeconomic instability is a risk factor in TB. The contribution of NGOs, such as Speranta Terrei, is significant, they provide transport for patients who simply cannot afford to pay for travel to health centers. Many patients do not have money even for food. The involvement of NGOs in the TB field is a great advantage.” We are gratified to be a part of Moldova’s drive to increase detection among vulnerable groups while we continue to assist vulnerable TB patients to complete treatment.

The end of the year reminds us once again of the generosity of GlobalGiving donors. We are grateful for your continued support. We wish you a Happy New Year. Un An Nou Fericit!