Medical training focused on human rights held under "Zero discrimination in health institutions Project" at "Nicolae Testemitanu" University

"Nicolae Testemitanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova held the Scientific-Practical Conference entitled "We train health professionals for a practice centered on human rights" on December 1, 2025. The event was organized in the context of the observance of World HIV/AIDS Day within the framework of Zero Discrimination in Health Institutions project, implemented by "Nicolae Testemitanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in conjunction with UN agencies. This year, the global UNAIDS slogans are "uniting for impact" and "defending and protecting human rights". They promote the right to health, autonomy over one's own body, universal access to health services, including sexual and reproductive - elements that define human dignity. The meeting addressed the achievements and commitments of our institution to this project. 

In the opening, First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Academic Management, spoke about the role of "Nicolae Testemitanu" University which it assumed starting in 2021 by signing a collaboration agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), that marked a paradigm shift in the training process of future health specialists. "Currently, our students learn not only how to treat a disease, but to look at a person beyond his diagnosis, to listen without prejudice, to respect the dignity of each person, to provide support and empathy," the First Vice-Rector noted. 

"Dear students, you will build the healthcare system of tomorrow, and in your hands will be not only treatment, but also the trust and hope of the people who will come to you. Knowledge and empathy are tools as important as medical protocols. Our partnership is one that we are proud of, because the integration and institutionalization of human rights has been achieved, and this practice is innovative and unique in our region. We thank the University administration for its openness, vision, participation and dedication, and the teaching staff for their efforts in evaluating and adjusting the university curriculum, thus contributing to the development of a more humane, equitable and closer to people health system", mentioned Svetlana Plamadeala, UNAIDS representative.

Svetlana Doltu, director of AFI Public Association, said that she graduated from "Nicolae Testemitanu" University 30 years ago and since then she understood how important the human rights aspect is, especially the right to health in medical activity. "I worked as a doctor in the penitentiary system, where the right to health is treated through the prism of international treaties. Then I realized how difficult it is when you do not know international legislation in the work with certain groups of people. Therefore, I am grateful for the progress made so far by the University and for this curriculum that systematically provides knowledge, which you will later apply in practice", the expert specified. 

A touching moment during the conference was the message of Irina Goreaceaia, coordinator of the mentoring program for people living with HIV: "I want to confess to you that I was diagnosed with this disease in 1998. It was a time when there was no internet, there was not much information and, above all, there was no treatment. And it's not just about diagnosis. It's about life, which doctors helped me to preserve. It's about trust and human attitude on the part of doctors and about how important for people the professional and human skills of future specialists are." 

According to Virginia Salaru, Associate Professor at the Department of Family Medicine, deputy head of the Didactics and Academic Management Department, in the last 4 years at "Nicolae Testemitanu" University the educational programs have been modernized, new disciplines have been introduced, and the curriculum has been updated. With the support of UNAIDS and the Government of Sweden, the University has strengthened the skills of teaching staff in the field of assertive communication and respect for human rights, through training and the development of modern teaching materials. 

The event was attended by teaching staff and study beneficiaries of "Nicolae Testemitanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Since its emergence, the HIV/AIDS phenomenon has affected 91.4 million people. According to statistics compiled in 2024, 40.8 million carriers of HIV infection were identified globally. Of the total, 630,000 died from HIV or related diseases. Of the total number of infected people, 31.6 million have access to antiviral treatment. At the same time, during 2024, 1.3 million new cases were registered. 

In the Republic of Moldova, in 2024, 880 new cases of HIV infection were reported, which constitutes an incidence of 28.86 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. At the same time, 298 people in the advanced stage of the disease (AIDS) were registered. Approximately 77% of AIDS cases are diagnosed concurrently with HIV infection, which denotes a late detection of seropositive people. 

The Republic of Moldova stands out for several good practices in preventing and combating HIV: accessible and standardized testing throughout the country, rapid diagnosis and initiation of treatment, access to prophylaxis services, accountability of pharmacies and civil society organizations, innovative treatment solutions in the community, but also in penitentiary institutions, ensuring medical services for refugees from Ukraine. In recent years, over 60% of infected people started to seek help too late. Of the total number of about 900 people who seek help annually, a third no longer have a chance at life, and stigma and discrimination are factors that influence this negative process. According to a study conducted by the UN in the Republic of Moldova, 88% of the country's population does not want to interact with a person affected by HIV.