Moldova Roundup: Cereal producers, computerised tomograph, drone fragments

Support for cereal producers

The Moldovan government has announced that cereal producers in the Eastern European nation affected by crises in 2023 will receive new support from the government. Producers will be able to borrow loans worth up to 500,000 lei (about $28,000) with a 90% guarantee on behalf of the state to start the agricultural season, the Moldovan state news agency reports. The new mechanism was announced at a meeting between Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Vladimir Bolea. ‘’I want to thank the farmers who work a lot, with diligence, manage to have profitable businesses and pay taxes. We help the agricultural sector and we will continue to find even more resources,’’ the prime minister is quoted by the state news agency.

First computerised tomograph

Moldovan President Maia Sandu inaugurated the nation’s first computerised tomograph with artificial intelligence at Moldova’s Cardiology Institute, aiming to improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, which are the main cause of death in the country, the state agency reports. President Sandu also announced a record investment of over 1 billion lei (about $55.8 million) in medical equipment for hospitals in 2022. “In the last two years, we have invested much to modernize our hospitals. In 2022 alone, we invested a record sum, more than 1 billion 00 million lei, in medical equipment for republican, district and municipal hospitals and we will continue doing this, as we want our people to be healthy,’’ Sandu is quoted by Moldpres.

Drone fragments found at border

Drone fragments were discovered in a field near the Moldovan-Ukrainian border line on February 17, Moldpres reports. According to the Moldvan Border Police, there were no explosives found in the area after inspection and the fragments found do not pose any threat to the community and that the authorities have taken all necessary measures to maintain order, peace, and public safety. "The area where the drone fragments were found has been completely cleared. Following the discovery of the remains of the drone, the competent authorities took all the necessary measures to protect the town of Etulia Nouă, in Vulcănești district," the state authority said.

Moldovan turns 100

Moldovan citizen Uliana Catana from Peticeni, a village located in Moldova’s central district Călărași celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and friends on February 8, 2024. According to local media Expresul, Uliana is the oldest person alive in Peticeni and has 11 children, 30 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Over a hundred people gathered at her house and garden to celebrate her life. "We are very happy that our mother has reached 100 years. This rarely happens to people. Throughout the year we gather for Mother's Day, but this morning we all gathered, we came from everywhere", one of her sons is quoted by Expresul.

Emergency responses

The Moldvan Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Assistance Service (AMUP) over the last week, responded to 15,679 emergencies, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and traumatological cases. According to the Moldovan state press, ambulances were called for 31 traffic accident injuries and 25 patients were transported to the hospital. The emergency joint controller's office received 49 calls for emergencies triggered by physical, chemical, and environmental agents, including combustions, hypothermia, and toxic emergencies, Moldpres reports.