Progressing towards Universal Health Coverage in Moldova

Target group/s:
Health authorities (Ministry of Health, National Health Insurance Company, National Agency of Public Health and Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices), State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, medical / healthcare institutions and healthcare professionals involved in the provision of services at all levels; civil society organizations (NGOs, patients’ groups, youth groups, etc.).

Final beneficiaries:
Health service-users, incl. those most vulnerable (elderly, poor, people with disabilities, refugees, inhabitants of rural and remote areas) whose access to affordable quality service is more limited and who are more prone to catastrophic health expenditures.

Outcome 1: Moldovan health authorities implement health sector reforms to ensure sustainable, effective and efficient distribution of resources and demand-oriented services in healthcare for all, including vulnerable population and underserved areas.

Outcome 2: Service users and civil society (NGOs, patients’ associations, etc.) promote and demand social accountability in the healthcare sector.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• Enhancing the capacities of the health authorities in evidence-based policy- and decision-making, addressing the inadequate distribution of resources (financial, human, etc.) in the health sector, fragmentation of services, and limited access to affordable and good quality healthcare, esp. for vulnerable groups and in underserved areas.
• Scaling up to national level and institutionalization of social accountability tools and mechanisms in healthcare institutions; increased awareness and engagement of the civil society and service-users / patients across the country in promoting transparency and accountability in the health sector.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:   Despite huge pressure on the health sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemics and the high number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country due to the Russian aggression, the first (extended) phase of the project brought notable results. Health sector authorities received support to carry out various assessments and evaluations and collect robust relevant evidence for decision-making on i) improving the health service delivery and performance, ii) aligning financial allocations with performance and population health needs. Critical steps have been taken towards the institutionalization of evidence-based health financing mechanisms and tools. Different social accountability and quality improvement instruments and mechanisms have been piloted in six health institutions (hospitals and Primary Health Care centres) in the Northern districts of Moldova. The project also contributed to increased awareness among the population and key public agencies about patients’ rights and accountability in the health sector.