Infrastructure gaps and procurement hurdles stall life-saving cancer care in Moldova
Approximately 148 cancer patients in the Republic of Moldova are currently trapped on waiting lists, facing delays of up to five weeks for life-saving radiotherapy. The crisis stems from a severe infrastructure deficit, with only three functional linear accelerators available at the Chisinau Oncology Institute.
International health experts estimate that Moldova requires a minimum of eight units to meet the clinical needs of the 12,000 citizens diagnosed with cancer annually. Currently, the gap between available technology and patient volume forces 200 individuals to cycle through a limited number of machines daily.
Infrastructure and logistical barriers
The Director of the Oncology Institute, Ruslan Baltaga, confirmed that while new equipment was added in 2022 and 2023, the system remains fragile. A fourth accelerator is expected later this year, but the deficit continues to compromise post-operative outcomes for patients like those recovering from breast cancer.
Logistical delays exacerbate the technical shortage. Medical physicist Octavian Cordun noted that because Moldova remains outside the European Union, the procurement of high-capital replacement parts is hindered by complex customs procedures and lengthy public tender regulations.
Governmental response and investment
Minister of Health Emil Ceban stated that the administration is prioritizing oncological investments. Funds have been secured for an additional accelerator this year, and the Ministry is decentralizing chemotherapy services to five regional districts to alleviate the burden on the capital.
Despite these efforts, the "treatment hiatus" remains a critical risk. For many, the transition from surgery to radiation is a race against recurrence, a race currently slowed by bureaucratic and geographical constraints.
