Today, at the initiative of the Pridnestrovian side, the only meeting of expert (working) groups on health care issues this year took place at the OSCE Mission office in Bendery. It should be emphasised that Pridnestrovie had previously repeatedly proposed organising consultations at the expert level, but representatives of the Republic of Moldova did not confirm the possibility of holding them.
Experts discussed in detail the accumulated problems related to the import of medicines and equipment into Pridnestrovie, primarily those needed for medical institutions and for retail sale in pharmacy chains. The Pridnestrovian side presented information on medicines that are urgently needed and for which there have been refusals, and called for assistance in ensuring their unhindered import into the republic. The parties agreed to exchange a written list of these medicines.
The meeting addressed specific aspects of the legal regulation of medicine imports and related lab tests. The Pridnestrovian side touched upon the specifics of supplying medicines, medical devices and equipment as humanitarian aid, and also expressed its opinion that the issue of the qualifications of Pridnestrovian ambulance crews should not prevent the delivery of urgent patients to medical facilities outside the territories of the parties.
