1. The specific of training specialists in the field of Public Health in the Republic of Moldova

2. Within the framework of the university educational system in Moldova, both training in the field of Medicine and Public Health are made exclusively at State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemitanu". Thus, within the Faculty of Medicine, the specialty of Public Health was opened in 2004.

3. The opening of this specialty was required by the need of training public health professionals and as well as by the changes that took place in the Public Health services and society in recent years. Generally, the training of specialists in the field of Public Health, meets as far as possible the stipulations of the Bologna process.

4. At the first University stage, comprising six academic years, students study a range of subjects, including fundamental, socio- humanistic, clinical and specialty subjects. The difference between the General Medicine syllabus and Public Health syllabus is in the number of classes taught at specialized and clinical subjects. At the same time, the Public Health syllabus differs significantly from the syllabus of the department of Preventive Medicine, disbanded many years ago.

5.   Specialty of General Medicine trains specialists in the field of diagnostic and curative treatment, while the specialty of Public Health deals with training of specialists who will work primarily in the field of prevention of both infectious and non- infectious diseases.

6. The Public Health graduates will work as hygienists, epidemiologists, microbiologists in the Public Health Centers (national, municipal and district) as well as health care managers. The purpose of specialists training at the above mentioned speciality is to train highly qualified specialists for monitorization of Public Health and improvement of its quality. At the same time, the changes within the society including adjustment of the national legislation to international regulations, Programmes and Projects focused on the population’s health proposed by international organizations such as WHO, etc., requiring reorganization of State Public Health institutions into modern institutions dealing with prophylaxis and control of diseases, where highly qualified specialists will work on an international modern level.

7. At present, along with the adoption of Law Nr. 10- XVI from 03.02.2009,,Concerning State Supervision of the Public Health’’, Republic of Moldova adjusted its methodic and normative support of Public Health to the European Union level. At the same time it was necessary to consolidate the system of doctors training in this field. The directions of doctors` activity in the Public Health field are regulated by decisional acts of the Parliament, Government, Ministry of Health.

8. According to the above mentioned Law, Public Health represents a complex of scientific and practical, legislative, administrative and other measures meant to prevent the diseases and to prolong life through joint efforts and informed choice of societies, public communities, both private and individual. Thus, the specialist in the field of Public Health must have deep knowledge in his basic activities and meet the requirements of supervision of State Public Health. As to practical skills, they must include a complex system of abilities concerning both accumulation, processing and analysis of health indices and health determinants, as well as elaboration, implementation and monitorization of the social, community, economic and medical measures which directly or indirectly influence positively the health of population.

9. From the above mentioned facts we can conclude that Public Health specialists are experts dealing with preserving people`s health. From all the priority tasks that our National Health System is facing, the competence of State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae Testimitanu” is to ensure graduate and postgraduate training for doctors who will work in the State Service of Public Health Supervision.

10. Training of Public Health specialists within the Faculty of Medicine is performed according to the Public Health curriculum and syllabus. Since the adoption of Law Nr. 10- XVI it was necessary to update the curriculum and syllabus. According to the syllabus, updated and approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova, training of the future specialists in humanitarian, fundamental and special fields, as well as practical and theoretical training is provided.

11. Such profile subjects as Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology and Sanitary Management are provided in the training of the future specialists. They constitute 2889 classes or 41,8 % from the total number of classes. The compartment of Hygiene includes the following subjects: Human Ecology, General Hygiene, Military Hygiene, Radiation Hygiene, Environmental Hygiene, Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Children and Adolescents Hygiene, Dietology, Sanitary Hygiene Laboratory, Family and Community Health Promotion.

12.   The second compartment Epidemiology includes: General Epidemiology, Special Epidemiology, Epidemiologic Diagnostics and Emergency Epidemiology.   The compartment of Microbiology includes the following subjects: Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Microbiology Laboratory.   In the compartment of Sanitary Management the following subjects are included: Sociology and General Psychology, Biostatistics and research methods, General Management, Health Service Management, Social Medicine, Economics of Health Protection and Medical insurance, Informational Medical System.

13. At the end of their studies, the graduates get the title of doctor in Public Health profile, after which the second stage has followed so far, that is the admission to residency which comprises two years of studies at three main specializations: Epidemiology, Hygiene and Microbiology. As a result of the Project TEMPUS implementation, the procedure of postgraduate studies for Public Health specialists was amended, an appropriate for the current situation curriculum having been developed through the master degree’s program.

14. If the desideratum: “Even if you are a very good specialist, never forget to consider the individuality of each patient” is important for the future graduates of General Medicine, then for the future graduates of Public Health it is important to recognize the health of the community as a whole.

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