EU improves health services in Varnita for the benefit of people of both banks of Nistru river

The new annex was built with the financial support of the European Union in the framework of the Support to Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by the UNDP.

Varnita Health Care Facility, built in 2013, would initially serve about 7,000 people annually, out of whom 5,200 being locals and the rest – inhabitants of Bender. In a short period of time, the number of patients increased up to 13,000, mainly due to the flow of people from the left bank of the Nistru River. In 2012, based on a Government Decision, the holders of health insurance from Bender, Tiraspol and Slobozia received the opportunity to register at the Varnita Health Care Center.

"It would be particularly pregnant women or pensioners from the left bank of the Nistru River, who receive the free-of-charge health insurance or people who buy it. Because there wasn’t enough space in the Center’s building, two family doctors had to work in the same room. Now patients and doctors will be more comfortable", says Chief Nurse Veronica Coledinschi.

The annex will host five new medical offices, including ones for family physicians, physiotherapy wards, and a room with USG diagnostic equipment. The European Union has provided 51,907 Euro for building the annex, and the local community contributed with 6,555 Euro for equipping it.

"The Varnita Health Care Centre is a great example of how the EU supports the improvement of the daily life of citizens from both banks of Nistru river. We will continue these activities and support also in the future. These will include, amongst others, social infrastructure improvement", mentioned EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Peter Michalko.

"People from both sides of the river have the same interests and problems, and when given the opportunity to do something together, they gladly engage – and benefit a lot from it too. This is the underlying philosophy of the Programme – and it works", concluded Rastislav Vrbensky, Deputy Director of UNDP Europe and Central Asia.

"Each of 13,000 beneficiaries of this Health Center – locals or inhabitants of the left bank of the Nistru River will benefit from the support provided by the European Union and the United National Development Programme for Varnita”, said deputy prime-minister Gheorghe Balan.

Patients are extremely glad for the Health Center’s extension. "There was a very tight space in the hall, it was very difficult to fit in the hall together with children and other patients. Now it is very comfortable with the opening of the new five medical offices", said Svetlana Tofan, an inhabitant of Bender town.

An Open Day event was organized in the Varnita Health Care Center on the occasion of the launch of the extended Centre. All visitors had the possibility to test for free the blood glucose level.

Starting from 2009, in the framework of the Support to Confidence Building Measures Programme funded by the EU and implemented by the UNDP, more than 80 social institutions from both banks of the Nistru River were refurbished and endowed with furniture or equipment.

The Programme contributes to enhancing confidence between people living on both banks of the Nistru River by involving local leaders, representatives of business environment and civil society in joint projects of business development and social infrastructure improvement.