Prof. Dr. Grigore TINICĂ, Manager of the Iași Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, at FERM 2025: “Centers of excellence must become the pillars of regional health networks”

REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025

Thematic Panel:

Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region

Speaker:

Prof. Univ. Dr. Grigore TINICĂ – Manager of the Iași Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases

Topic of the intervention:
“Centers of Excellence and Their Role in Regional Networks”

Panel 6 – Health and Medical Services in the Moldova Region, held within the framework of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, highlighted one of the most solid and well-argued interventions concerning the future of medical infrastructure in eastern Romania.

Prof. Dr. Grigore Tinică, Manager of the Iași Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, delivered a strong plea for strategic investments in health, infrastructure, and defense, emphasizing the construction of the Regional Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine (IRCM) – a center of excellence with regional, national, and European significance.

Moldova – a Region with Major Disparities and a Strategic Role in European Architecture

At the beginning of his intervention, Prof. Grigore Tinică highlighted that the Moldova Region suffers from significant development gaps compared to the rest of the country. This gap is not only economic but also affects medical, transport, and military infrastructure.

“Moldova is a frontier of the European Union and NATO. It has deep ties with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and its geopolitical and cultural importance must be harnessed through major strategic investments,” he stated.

Three Pillars for Development: Health, Infrastructure, and Cohesion

The Manager of the Iași Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases structured his vision around three essential pillars:

1. Development of the healthcare sector, especially through the IRCM Iași project, in partnership with the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.

2. Modernization of transport infrastructure, including the A7 and A8 highways, bridges over the Prut River, and integration into the European TEN-T networks.

3. Reduction of regional disparities, which are severe in the northeast of the country – only 16 km of highway, 43% of roads modernized, and GDP per capita four times lower than in Bucharest.

“Without modern connectivity and high-performance medical infrastructure, the development of Moldova and the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the EU remain mere aspirations,” he warned.

Health – a Painful Indicator in Moldova

Prof. Dr. Grigore Tinică presented alarming data regarding health in the region:

• Life expectancy in Moldova is 7.3 years below the EU average.

• There are only 25 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, especially in rural areas.

• Moldova ranks first in the EU in mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases.

“We need regional centers of excellence to reduce these shameful statistics. IRCM is not a luxury, but a medical and strategic emergency,” firmly stated the cardiovascular surgeon.

The Polish Model and the Return on Investment in IRCM

An example of good practice: the Polish OPI&E model, which integrated investments in highways with those in health. Romania, says Prof. Tinică, can replicate this model:

• A7 – €4.9 billion

• A8 – €6.2 billion

• IRCM – only €350 million, that is 0.11% of GDP and 16 times cheaper than the Mayo Clinic equivalent in the USA per bed.

The estimated economic return for IRCM is 39%, making it a driver of regional development.

IRCM – a Medical, Educational, and Humanitarian Hub for Eastern Romania

The IRCM project is not only focused on treating cardiovascular diseases but is designed as a health ecosystem:

• A hospital with ultra-modern equipment and American design.

• Hotel facilities for relatives (Badenhausen model).

• Research, education, rehabilitation, and palliative care, attracting private investments.

“Without spaces, without infrastructure, we cannot access funds or cross-border projects. IRCM is a symbol of real European integration in Moldova,” emphasized the renowned physician.

Health – Part of NATO’s Defense Doctrine in Eastern Europe

His intervention also included a geopolitical dimension, rarely encountered in public health discourse. Tinică pointed out that:

• Defense on the Prut River and extension towards the Dniester are essential in the current NATO doctrine.

• Romanian Moldova is the “mixer” between East and West, and without medical infrastructure, it cannot be protected in case of crisis.

• IRCM can be quickly transformed into an emergency medical unit in case of war, earthquake, or pandemic.

Collaboration with Baltic States – a Strategic Opportunity

Prof. Tinică also proposed a strategic alliance with the Baltic countries, which, like Moldova, face hybrid threats:

“Historical Moldova is on the geopolitical frontline. We need joint exercises, educational collaborations, and cross-border investments in health and defense,” he concluded, evoking also the Juvalski Gap scenario and the risk of Moldovan isolationism if NATO doctrine is not adapted.

Conclusion: IRCM – a Project that Connects Health with Security and Development

Prof. Dr. Grigore Tinică’s intervention at FERM 2025 was not just a plea for a hospital. It was a comprehensive vision about:

• The reconstruction of Romanian Moldova as an active part of Europe.

• The interdependence between health, transport, defense, and education.

• The importance of centers of excellence not only as medical infrastructure but also as nuclei of strategic resilience.

“Without stability in Romanian Moldova, the integration of the Republic of Moldova remains vulnerable. IRCM is a crucial link in a European chain of security, health, and regional cohesion.”