Resident doctors will be able to work together with Doctors without Borders team

Resident doctors from Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova could work together with a team of Doctors without Borders Organization, which is currently in the Moldovan-Ukrainian border area Palanca. This initiative was launched by Elsa Boudsocq, responsible for financial activity and human resources at Doctors without Borders (MSF ̶ Médecins Sans Frontières), who had a meeting with the Rector of Nicolae Testemitanu University Professor Emil Ceban and the Vice-rector for social activity Marcel Abras on 18 March.

Elsa Boudsocq has mentioned that, at this moment, the flow of Ukrainian refugees decreased, but for a possible greater health care need, the support of Nicolae Testemitanu University would be welcome, namely of the resident doctors from Family Medicine specialty.

The Rector welcomed the proposal of the MSF delegate, but said that this topic should be discussed with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and with resident doctors in the field, to analyze the availability and opportunities of young doctors to participate in this project.

In this context, a meeting of MSF delegates with resident doctors eligible for humanitarian action at the border with Ukraine took place on Monday, March 21st. Foreign representatives mentioned that at the first stage, volunteers willing to work together with the MSF would be identified. They will set up a reserve group of doctors who can be contacted if necessary. The MSF will provide transport and accommodation at all border crossing points. There is also a financial allowance for volunteering activities. Resident doctors will work at border posts for as long as they wish and will be able to withdraw from volunteer work at any time.

Axel Adolfo, an emergency physician at the MSF, explained to the resident doctors their mission at the border: “Your goal will be to make direct contact with refugees and to ensure the connection between patients and doctors. You will not be alone in this position, you will always be accompanied by a doctor or nurse”, the doctor assured.

Resident physicians wishing to become members of the MSF support group can call +373 686 24709 or send an e-mail to msff-moldova-eadmin@paris.msf.org

Doctors without Borders is an international humanitarian non-governmental organization that conducts healthcare projects in regions affected by armed conflicts and epidemics. The MSF team arrived at the Palanca border in the very first days of the war in Ukraine, where they provided a medical institution, a pharmacy and a team of psychologists.