The Republic of Moldova is among the first countries in the WHO European Region to conduct a COVID-19 intra-action review (IAR). This exercise, requested by the Republic of Moldova’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection, has enabled
the documentation of best practices and challenges, and has yielded recommendations for the ongoing response to the pandemic.
The first cases of COVID-19 were reported by the Republic of Moldova on 8 March 2020. Since then, the Government has responded with a number of public health and social measures to curb transmission of the virus. The IAR findings will be utilized to adjust and synchronize further public health measures in the country.
Best practices and challenges outlined
“The IAR exercise was an excellent opportunity for the Republic of Moldova to share experiences and collectively analyse its response to COVID-19 by identifying challenges and best practices,” said Mr Constantin Rîmiș, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection.
“We had 3.5 full working days of debating and analysing, building consensus, and finding the ways forward. Like other countries across the world who are putting in place measures to control the spread of COVID-19, the Republic of Moldova has faced many challenges, and I’m sure that the IAR will contribute to improving management of the national pandemic response,” he added.
The IAR covered all core areas of the country’s COVID-19 response: risk communication and community engagement; case investigation and contact tracing; the national laboratory system; infection prevention and control; case management; knowledge sharing about innovations and the latest research; and essential health services maintenance during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Broad participation across government
The IAR was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection, the National Public Health Agency, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu”, the Border Police, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations.
Nearly 80 participants from key national and local institutions participated in both face-to-face and online discussions. The COVID-19 response review was led jointly by a large team of national experts and experts from all levels of WHO.
“Through an interactive and structured workshop, the institutions and specialists from the Republic of Moldova involved in the COVID-19 response openly reflected on the work done and collectively acknowledged areas in need of improvement to further strengthen the response,” highlighted Dr Igor Pokanevych, WHO Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
About intra-action reviews
WHO’s COVID-19 response review is a country-led, facilitated process that brings together a group of COVID-19 responders with knowledge of the public health response pillars under review. The IAR is meant to identify practical areas for immediate remediation and for sustained improvement of the ongoing response.