An innovative system for the treatment of critically ill newborns has been donated in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Moldova, representatives of the Ministry of Health, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Kyiv. The project is implemented by CUAMM as part of the Emergency Initiative funded by the Italian Cooperation.
Chișinău, February 11, 2025 – Thanks to the Italian Cooperation, the Institutul Mamei și Copilului (IMAC) in Chișinău, Moldova’s leading neonatal hospital, is now equipped for the first time with a therapeutic hypothermia system, a life-saving technology for treating critically ill newborns.
IMAC is the only Level III center in Moldova and serves as the main referral point for complex neonatal cases, including premature infants and those with severe birth complications. Every year, the hospital handles emergency cases from across the country, with constant transfers of newborns from lower-level hospitals that lack adequate intensive care units. Approximately 25-30 newborns with perinatal asphyxia require this treatment annually, which until now was not available in the country.
Pietro Pipi, Head of AICS Kyiv, stated: “Thanks to this initiative, the neonatal unit will have modern equipment capable of making a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable newborns. However, the project goes beyond just providing equipment – it also invests in the skills of Moldovan doctors. As part of the CUAMM project, seven neonatologists from IMAC have completed specialized training on how to use this technology, ensuring a lasting impact. Training healthcare personnel is essential to strengthening the local healthcare system and making sure this intervention has a tangible effect on the quality of care.”
This initiative is carried out by CUAMM in collaboration with Caritas Moldova and other local partners as part of the R.I.S.E. Ukraine project. This project aims to provide an inclusive, integrated, and multisectoral humanitarian response to victims of the conflict in Ukraine and Moldova, ensuring safe and equitable access to essential, life-saving basic services.
The CUAMM project is part of the Emergency Initiative funded by the Italian Cooperation, with a total budget of €46.5 million, covering 26 multisectoral projects, over 100 partners, and nearly 1 million beneficiaries across Ukraine and Moldova.
At the same time, Italy continues to support Moldova in other strategic sectors, including protection and energy, through targeted interventions aimed at improving community resilience and strengthening the country’s infrastructure.
