Health Ministry reforms Moldova’s transplant governance to expand life-saving access
The Government of Moldova approved a strategic expansion of authorized organ and tissue procurement centers on January 28. This move aims to decentralize the transplant system and ensure wider nationwide access for patients on waiting lists.
Under the new regulations, the Transplant Agency will establish a dedicated Inspection Service. This unit will operate through internal restructuring without increasing the total number of government employees, ensuring stricter oversight of medical protocols.
The reform integrates all authorized hospitals into a unified coordination network. While the Transplant Agency oversees international and national logistics, local coordinators will now be responsible for identifying and evaluating potential deceased donors.
"This project is a necessary step toward an efficient transplant system where protecting the health of Moldovan citizens is the ultimate priority," stated Health Minister Emil Ceban during the cabinet meeting.
The authorities emphasized that expanding the number of authorized institutions is crucial to meeting the growing demand for transplants. The strategy also focuses on specialized training to involve more medical experts in the coordination process.
This reform follows a breakthrough year for Moldovan medicine. In 2025, surgeons performed 10 liver and 6 kidney transplants—a significant jump from the 5 procedures recorded in 2024 and 4 in 2023.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
