"Nicolae Testemitanu" University signed a collaboration agreement with the Embassy of Finland in Bucharest, Romania

Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova signed a collaboration agreement with the Embassy of Finland in Bucharest, Romania, regarding the implementation of the project Strengthening the capacity of doctors for a better response to cases of domestic violence (SPA2DV) in the period 2023-2024. The project was launched within the framework of the Local Cooperation Fund, which is a financing tool for non-profit projects in the Republic of Moldova, part of Finland's development cooperation.

The Embassy of Finland in Romania was represented by Jaakko Virkkunen, country coordinator, and Nicolae Testemitanu University - by Olga Cernetchi, First vice-rector, vice-rector for didactic activity.

During the discussions, vice-rector Olga Cernetchi mentioned the extensive experience of our university in the implementation of various national and international projects and expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Finland in Romania and the Finnish government for the interest and support offered in this regard.

For his part, Jaakko Virkkunen emphasized that the Finnish diplomatic mission was open to the initiation of a partnership with Nicolae Testemitanu University and that this was a first experience.

The general objective of the project is to develop the professional response of current and future doctors from the Republic of Moldova to cases of domestic violence and to improve their ability to identify the victims. The project will conduct a sociological study among students, resident doctors, and doctors to identify the level of knowledge in the field of domestic violence and their training needs. At the same time, an analytical study will be carried out to provide medical practitioners with the necessary tools to increase the capacity to identify victims of domestic violence.

The project is part of the efforts aimed at ensuring the rights of women and girls to a life without violence, in the context of the implementation of the National Strategy on prevention and combating violence against women and domestic violence for 2018-2023, approved by the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Moldova No. 281 of April 3, 2018.