EU and WHO donated life-saving surgery equipment for the Institute of Oncology

Thousands of people in Moldova facing cancer will benefit from life-saving medical equipment donated to the Institute of Oncology, funded by the European Union and procured by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Each year, more than 5,000 people with lung, bone, digestive, skin, throat, and other cancers are expected to receive safer, faster, and more effective treatment thanks to this support.

The new equipment makes surgeries more precise, supports faster recovery, and offers less invasive options for treating tumors. It includes tools for safer bone surgery, modern technologies to treat lung and skin cancers, and devices that enhance gastrointestinal and thoracic procedures. For doctors, it means better tools to save lives. For patients and their families, it means earlier diagnosis, gentler treatment, and better chances of recovery.

This contribution complements a previous EU and WHO donation of 1,000 vials of Trastuzumab and a high-performance ultrasound machine, further reinforcing Moldova’s commitment to modern, patient-centered oncology care.

“I’m glad that here in Moldova we have access to such advanced equipment. You don’t have to go abroad, where it costs a lot of money. I had a lung investigation to check my health condition,” said Pavel Dron, a patient, receiving care at the Oncology Institute.

“The new devices are more than just equipment; they’re instruments of hope. For patients with bone tumors, we can now perform surgeries with greater precision and less trauma. That means faster recovery, fewer complications, and a real chance at a better life. This donation helps us offer advanced and qualitative care”, said Dr. Andrei Olaru, orthopedic oncologist from the Institute of Oncology.

With the European Union funding through “EU support for COVID-19 vaccine deployment in the Eastern Partnership”, WHO has supported the Republic of Moldova in advancing cancer care. A new National Cancer Control Programme for 2026-2030 is being developed to guide prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care, while a National Cancer Registry is underway to ensure that every decision is based on reliable date and patients’ real needs. In addition, cancer care has become more compassionate, with over 600 health professionals trained to better communicate with patients and new materials developed to support nutrition and emotional wellbeing.

Patients in Moldova are already seeing the benefits of improved cancer services. Modern diagnostic standards are now used in laboratories, and breast cancer care has been reorganized so women can receive earlier and more accurate diagnoses closer to home. Thanks to this shift to an early-detection model under the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, the share of late-stage breast cancer cases fell dramatically – from around 60% to just 37% in the first four months.

Furthermore, women in Moldova are gaining access to better cervical cancer screening. New pilot programs are introducing HPV testing and modern Pap smear methods, making early detection more reliable and accessible. These efforts, developed with international expertise and local partners, mean more women can be diagnosed earlier and receive timely, life-saving care.

These collective efforts mark an important step towards ensuring that every patient in Moldova, including displaced people from Ukraine, has access to timely, effective, and comprehensive cancer care.