Sara Scott - Medicine and Healthcare, Medicine in Moldova

I worked as a medical volunteer in Chisinau, Moldova, during July 2007. Arriving at the airport I received a lovely welcome, greeted by members of my host family and Tatiana from Projects Abroad. A short taxi journey later and I was welcomed into my host family’s home with a spread of food including many local specialties.

Visitors from Western countries are not very common and many Moldovans are very keen to learn about life in the UK, so conversation flowed during all our meals together. The two main languages of Moldova are Russian and Romanian and almost everyone, young and old, speak both fluently. Many older people do not speak any English but the majority of the young people learn it in school and are keen to practice as much as possible.

My host parents and I weren’t able to speak directly to each other but this was never a problem as Laurentia and Nicoleta speak English to a very high level. They also helped me to learn many words and phrases in Romanian. However, it was only near the end of my trip that I discovered 'hi' in English means 'let's go' in Romanian - that explains the confusion I was occasionally met with when I greeted strangers in English (especially men)!

Work at the hospitals was very varied. Dr Topor organized my program so that I could have a variety of ‘hands on’ placements as well as time to observe and visit departments where I had no previous experience. I spent my first week in the oncology hospital where I helped make up and insert drips and venflons, give intramuscular injections, change bandages and transport patients between wards and theatre. In many places the medical staff are only too glad to have an extra pair of hands as they can be short-staffed at times, so if you are willing to learn and ‘muck in’ they are very grateful.

I spent time in two different children’s hospitals and was able to see a wide spectrum of cases and chat with local medical students. Moldovan doctors do not receive a high wage and the course is long and difficult so those who choose to study medicine are truly dedicated to their work. Homeopathic medicine is becoming popular in Chisinau and I was able to spend several days shadowing the doctors in their private clinic. Private health care is quite uncommon as few can afford it but the staff are optimistic about its future, although they acknowledge that progress will be probably be slow.

Many aspects of health care in Moldova are different to those in the UK, so it was a fantastic opportunity to observe techniques and procedures not commonly used at home. As I am interested in surgery I was given the opportunity to attend theatre several times per week in a number of different specialties. General anesthetic is used much less often in Moldova than in the UK and it was fascinating to observe the patient and nurses chatting during some fairly major operations!

In Moldova resources can be scarce within the hospitals, so if things can be sterilized and reused safely they will be. I was surprised to see surgical gowns and sheets being sterilized between procedures. Every morning in the traumatology hospital at least half an hour was devoted to folding strips of gauze from a huge roll into bandages. These would then be sterilized before use later in the day.

Throughout the month my host family also took me on trips around the country including to Vadul lui Voda, one of the local’s favorite spots for relaxing along the Dniestre river. Outings were also arranged by Projects Abroad, including a very interesting tour of the Milestii Mici winery, with a chance to sample the local produce. We also spent a weekend in the beautiful countryside visiting towns and monasteries and tasting more local cuisine.

Through the program I made friends with volunteers from across the world, several of whom I am keeping in contact with now. As well as working in the hospital I also took a course in Russian. This was thoroughly enjoyable and allowed me to interact more with locals. In fact, I fell in love with the language and I’m continuing my lessons back at home!

In my free time I went to watch the local soccer team FC Zimbru most weekends. This was a really good experience, especially when Artmedia Bratislava were in town for the UEFA cup game! The atmosphere is great and ticket costs are very low with the best seats being only a few dollars.

I had a fantastic time in Moldova and I definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to do some volunteer work in an ‘off the beaten track” country. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and very eager to talk. Many times I would be approached by people who just wanted a chat and a chance to improve or practice their English. I was incredibly sad leaving! I have kept in touch with many of the people I met and intend to go and visit again in the next few years.

Sara Scott

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