Moldova's national extraordinary commission for public health holds meeting

Chisinau, 24 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Ion Chicu today summoned a meeting of the national extraordinary commission for public health. Attending the event was the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Igor Pokanevych, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

In the beginning of the meeting, Ion Chicu referred to the extension of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in the European states and the need to check the level of preparation of the competent national authorities.

Health, Labour and Social Protection Minister Viorica Dumbraveanu informed about the evolution of the spread of coronavirus in Europe and in the immediate neighbourhood of Moldova, noting that WHO had not urged imposing of travel restrictions. The Health, Labour and Social Protection Ministry (MSMPS) permanently monitors the evolution of the epidemiological situation and maintains all institutions in a state of maximal preparation. The WHO official from Chisinau is in permanent touch with decision-makers from the countries where the virus was identified.    

Viorica Dumbraveanu talked about the algorithm of organizing quarantine measures and stressed the importance to observe the personal hygiene measures, in order to prevent the falling sick. The National Public Health Agency (ANSP) has received sets of tests for detecting coronavirus from Germany. The medical institutions have enough stocks of medicines and para-pharmaceutical articles. ANSP trained specialists of the Border Police and Customs Service.   

MSMPS proposed to declare alert of Yellow Code nationally and to boost communication and cooperation with the structures involved. The ministry will convey to all institutions in charge the measures which must be undertaken in the context of declaring the alert Yellow Code.  

The ANSP director urged people to comply with the requirements of the competent national authorities of the country where they stay.    

Interior Minister Pavel Voicu and Director of the Customs Service Sergiu Burduja confirmed the preparation of the structures in charge of the management of the border crossing points.  

The WHO representative urged the authorities to prepare for the appearance of cases of infection and be ready to calmly manage the situation. Igor Pokanevych touched upon the measures taken by the authorities from Italy to prevent the spread of the epidemic outside the regions and highlighted the enforcement of measures of isolation of the settlements where infection cases are identified.  

PM Ion Chicu demanded that the leaders of the involved institutions show maximal mobilization, actively communicate and preserve a high capacity of intervention if necessary. At the same time, the prime minister urged people to observe the recommendations of medical specialists and appeal to mass media to tackle the subject of the epidemic’s extension responsibly and calmly.