Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and WHO Regional Director for Europe encourage Moldovan parents to continue to vaccinate their children

This was the message of Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark when she visited the Republic of Moldova from 23 to 25 November 2016 in her role as Patron of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The Crown Princess was accompanied by Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.  

The visit took place at the invitation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, Mrs Ruxanda Glavan, with the aim of focusing on the importance of women’s and children’s health, maintaining momentum on immunization and addressing antimicrobial resistance. The programme included visits to: the Ministry of Health; National Centre of Public Health and the National Vaccines Storage; Research Institute of Mother and Child Health Care; State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”; University Centre for Simulation in Medical Training; and the University Clinic for Primary Health Care.

The Crown Princess and the WHO Regional Director for Europe had valuable opportunities to meet with parents and children as they learned more about the health system in the Republic of Moldova, and specifically about immunization and maternal and child health within the country.

Public health progress highlighted

During their meeting at the Ministry of Health, The Crown Princess and WHO Regional Director were briefed on ongoing health reforms in the Republic of Moldova and remaining challenges to be addressed. Dr Jakab welcomed notable progress made and currently underway in the area of maternal and child health including: the halving of infant mortality rates in the last 15 years, with maternal mortality following the same trend; WHO validation for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of syphilis; a National Sexual and Reproductive Health Action Plan 2017–2021, currently under development; and a Child and Adolescent Health and Development Strategy currently being finalized.

Dr Jakab commented at the meeting, “We hope the Government will continue to focus on improving the quality of the maternal and child healthcare services and address health inequities, so that ultimately all women and their children have access to vital health services. With the commitment already shown by the Government, and with the support of development partners, including WHO, much can be achieved in this area”.

The meeting with key specialists at the National Centre of Public Health highlighted the need to unite all efforts for enhanced surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance. Dr Jakab remarked, “The Republic of Moldova aims at adopting its comprehensive national antimicrobial resistance work plan soon. I was very glad to learn that all relevant sectors are involved in this work – the problem cannot be solved without multisectoral cooperation.”

The visit to the National Vaccines Storage provided an overview of vaccine storage and the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the immunization process. After this visit, the Crown Princess shared her views with journalists, saying, “My children are vaccinated, as I was. The importance and benefits of immunization should be promoted regularly to remove suspicions. Also, we must remain focused on the scientific evidence related to vaccines and provide children with the right to vaccination.”

Honorary doctorates in recognition of contributions to public health

On 24 November 2016, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu” brought together representatives of the university and scientific community at a special event at which The Crown Princess and Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab were awarded honorary doctorates (doctor honoris causa) and honorary professorships at the School of Public Health Management.

The visit continued the following day at the University Centre for Medical Simulation, which has implemented modern education methods and simulation-based training to develop medical competences and skills.

Introductions to a young boy named Aron in the immunization office and a little girl named Ekaterina in the family doctor office of the University Clinic of Primary Health Care ended the visit on a very positive, personal note.  As The Crown Princess highlighted in her public address, “Together we can build a society where no-one is left behind and where the highest attainable standard of health is enjoyed by all, at all life stages.”