Moldovan scientist celebrated at 90th anniversary

Chisinau, 01 August /MOLDPRES/ – The surgeon and scientist Nicolae Testemitanu, professor and organizer of the health care system in the Republic of Moldova, was celebrated today in Chisinau on the day he would be 90 years old. The celebratory ceremony took place in the Alley of scientists and illustrious doctors in Chisinau.

The rector of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Nicolae Testemitanu, academician, Ion Ababii, mentioned that in September 2016, by a decision of the Parliament, year 2017 was declared the year of Nicolae Testemitanu, and the Government elaborated in that respect a program of actions of Commendation of the illustrious scholar and surgeon.

As rector of the State Medical Institute in Chisinau, said Ion Ababii, Nicolae Testemitanu had succeeded in opening the faculties of Dentistry (1959), Physician Training (1962), Preventive Medicine (1963) and Pharmacy (1964). In the ministry, he developed strategies aimed at consolidating the health system, providing with medical staff, improving the forms and methods of organizing the health care system provided to the population.

According to the cited source, Nicolae Testemitanu pleaded for the health system with medical staff, mainly native, and the introduction of the Romanian language in the training process, an initiative for which in 1968 he was dismissed as a minister. "Nicolae Testemitanu was an experienced educator, devoted to the cause and ideals of the young generation. Under his leadership, the concept of securing the rural population with specialized medical assistance was developed, appreciated with the State Prize in Science and Technology. Also, the chair led by Professor Testemitanu was recognized in the USSR as a scientific coordinating centre for organizing health care in rural areas", said academician, Ion Ababii.

At his part, Deputy President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Viorel Prisacaru, remarked that the period during which Nicolae Testemitanu acted as rector and minister was considered the golden age in the development of the native medicine. "Just over those years (1961-1970), more than 260 theses of doctor of medicine were defended," said Viorel Prisacaru.

On the life and activity of Nicolae Testemitanu, spoke the chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Social Protection, Health and Family, Valentina Buliga, the academics Gheorghe Ghidirim and Gheorghe Paladi.

Nicolae Testemitanu was born on 01 August 1927 in Ochiul Alb village, Balti district, Drochia district today. In 1951 he graduated from the State Medical Institute of Chisinau (ISMC). In the same year he was admitted to clinical surgery at the Department of General Surgery of ISMC, while working as a doctor in the Surgery Department of Riscani District Hospital. From 1954 he was employed as an assistant, later lecturer, professor, and later as head of that chair. Exercising and acting as Chief Medical Officer of the Republican Clinical Hospital and founding magazine Ocrotirea Sanatatii (Health Care).

In 1959-1963 he was rector of the State Medical Institute in Chisinau and from 1963-1968 he held the position of Health Minister. He published over 220 scientific papers, including 15 monographs. Nicolae Testemitanu died on 20 September 1986. He was awarded postmortem the title of Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. From with 1990, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Moldova has the name of the reputed scientist.

(Reporter N. Roibu, editor A. Raileanu)