Deputies of the relevant Committee heard reports on the implementation of state programs in the field of healthcare in 2024. Part I

6 state target programs in the field of health care were in effect in Pridnestrovie last year. The reports on their implementation were discussed by deputies of the Committee on Social Policy and Healthcare at today's meeting.

"Prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for 2020-2024"

The state program aimed at preventing such socially significant diseases as HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections ended on December 31, 2024. Almost 21 million rubles were allocated from the republican budget for its implementation over the 5 years of the state program. Approximately the same amount was provided by grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The majority of the funds – 14.5 million rubles – were allocated for medical and social assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS/STIs, their family members, as well as for diagnostics and treatment of sexually transmitted infections for all categories of the population, including risk groups. The implementation of this measure includes treatment of opportunistic infections, including in hospital settings, administration of antiretroviral therapy for adults and children, post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as hematological, biochemical, immunological, molecular genetic and enzyme immunoassay studies.

Funds were allocated for the purchase of express tests and testing of the population, informing the population, strengthening and developing the system of epidemiological surveillance of HIV/AIDS infection, etc within the framework of the state program. In total, about 168 thousand people were tested for HIV infection (rapid testing and enzyme immunoassay) in 2020-2024. 744 of them were diagnosed with HIV infection.

"Prevention of viral hepatitis B and C in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for 2021-2024"

Another state target program, which ended last year, is aimed at reducing the incidence of viral hepatitis B and C. Such a program was implemented in Pridnestrovie for the first time. 4.7 million rubles were allocated from the republican budget for its implementation over 4 years.

According to the World Health Organization, Pridnestrovie is among the countries with a high prevalence of viral hepatitis. Thus, the cumulative number of patients with chronic hepatitis B was 964 people, chronic hepatitis C 4066 people at the end of 2023. The overall incidence of liver cirrhosis is high.

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B appeared in 2023. 105 patients started therapy. 2 of them are children. Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C was started by 1433 patients. 1120 people completed treatment.

Since 2025, 2 state target programs – the program for the prevention of HIV/AIDS infections and sexually transmitted infections and the state program for the prevention of viral hepatitis B and C - have been combined into one. However, there are no funds in the republican budget for its implementation (as well as for the implementation of other state target programs and development programs)due to the critical situation in the Pridnestrovian economy,. At the same time, a number of activities this year will be financed by the Global Fund.

"Immunization of the Population of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for 2021-2025" for 2024

The state program for immunization of the population continued to operate in Pridnestrovie in 2024. Its main goal is to improve the epidemiological situation for infections controlled by specific prophylaxis. 4.3 million rubles were allocated from the republican budget for the activities of the state program last year. Most of the funds were spent on the purchase and transportation of vaccines and immunization products. Children and adults were vaccinated against tuberculosis (2456 children under 1 year of age), against viral hepatitis B (2080 children under 1 year of age), against poliomyelitis (2057 children under 1 year of age, 2170 children under 3 years of age, 4255 children under 7 years of age), against diphtheria and tetanus (2025 children under 1 year of age, 2075 children under 3 years of age, 4210 children under 7 years of age, 3801 adolescents under 15 years of age, 19953 people among the adult population), against whooping cough (1995 children under 1 year of age, 2016 children under 3 years of age), against Haemophilus influenzae infection (2026 children under 1 year of age), against pneumococcal infection (1664 children under 1 year of age), against measles, rubella and mumps (2114 children under 1 year of age, 4 214 children under 7, and 4021 children under 15).

Vaccination has helped maintain the region's polio-free status, and the incidence of vaccine-preventable infections remains low. No cases of rubella have been registered in Pridnestrovie since 2007. No cases of diphtheria have been registered since 2003, with the exception of 2009 (1 case in Slobodzeya). No cases of polio and tetanus have been registered for 37 years.

At the same time, there is an alarming trend of decreasing vaccination coverage. For example, the vaccination rate against such dangerous diseases as measles, mumps and rubella among children under 1 year of age last year was only 82%. Back in 2006, the figure was 91%. There is a threat of a return of infections. Just the other day, information appeared that measles was diagnosed in five children from one family in Bender. According to media reports, the disease was contracted by the eldest daughter, who is 17, while studying in Chisinau. When she came home to Pridnestrovie, the girl infected the others. The children were not vaccinated. This is the first case of measles in Pridnestrovie in the last 7 years.