Patient care, a daily priority: “I won’t rest until the problem is solved”
For doctors in our country, their patients' health is the top priority every day. They are committed professionals who often work 24-hour shifts without days off. Medical Worker's Day, observed on June 21, reminds us of the tireless efforts of those in the healthcare system who work to save lives.
Among them is Victor Andronachi, a dedicated neurosurgeon who specializes in highly complex cases, where his daily activities are dictated by urgent decisions made under pressure.
At 52 years old, Victor Andronachi views neurosurgery not just as a job but as a vocation, a commitment validated by the gratitude of his patients. He heads the Neurosurgery Department at the Institute of Emergency Medicine, where his workday does not begin with a leisurely coffee, but rather at dawn amidst the chaos of emergencies.
"My workday starts at 6:30 a.m.," Victor Andronachi explained. "I begin by analyzing the system and reviewing the patients who have been hospitalized. I visit those in intensive care. Until I resolve the issues my patients face, I will not rest."
His determination to never tolerate indifference has made him a beacon of hope for many. For Victor Andronachi, every brain surgery is a confrontation with the unknown, guided by a philosophy he embraced from the great mentors of his profession.
"The brain is a miracle of nature that not everyone can touch, let alone fully understand. There is a remarkably learned colleague of ours in Bucharest, Leon Dănăilă, who is over 90 years old and still active today. I have taken to heart an expression of his: ‘You enter the brain hand in hand with God,’" said the neurosurgeon.
The longest and most complex operation he performed lasted over eight hours, during which he experienced some of the most intense emotions.
"I personally conducted my most complicated operation. A major vessel was taken from a patient's hand and sutured to the main vessels leading to the brain," the doctor recounted.
Such a demanding pace requires significant sacrifices that not every family can make.
"We know many colleagues who have faced challenges in their relationships because they dedicate most of their attention to work. You are constantly caught in a struggle between family and work. At home, my daughter often asks me, 'Dad, what did you operate on today? Did you succeed?'" said the neurosurgeon.
The reward for his dedication does not come from titles but from the appreciation of his patients and the respect of his disciples.
"Mr. Victor was my mentor during my residency; he guided me throughout the years. He has a humorous personality but is strict and rigorous when it comes to patients," said Sergiu Mălai, a fellow neurosurgeon at the same institution.
"He is a very responsible and demanding doctor, which I appreciate. All the patients and cases discussed are always analyzed thoroughly. He is a professional and serves as an example for others", said resident doctor Ana-Maria Dumitrașcu.
"The greatest pleasure comes when you successfully guide someone to become a skilled professional, like your own children. It’s reassuring to know that your efforts were not in vain," said Victor Andronachi.
In the medical system of the Republic of Moldova, individuals like Victor Andronachi demonstrate that professionalism is not solely defined by technology but by the ability to connect with human suffering and provide healing.
The medical system in the Republic of Moldova employs approximately 12,500 doctors and 24,000 nurses.
