The OBDIA-NET project: Investments in education, research, and health at the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the Republic of Moldova

In the context of the evolution of the medical field and research in the Republic of Moldova and Romania, the OBDIA-NET project stands out as a significant effort in investing in education, research, and health

This project was launched at the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the Republic of Moldova in close collaboration with the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iași, Romania. Funded by the European Union through the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration, and European Funds of the Romanian Government, the main objective of the project is to develop an integrated cross-border network for advanced health services in the field of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

Emil CEBAN, dr. hab. med. sci., university professor, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, and rector of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, provided more details about the project.

The OBDIA-NET Project: Investments in education, research, and hat the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the Republic of Moldova

The project “Cross-border integrated network for advanced health services in obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders – OBDIA-NET” with registration number HARD/4.1/93 was launched on April 27, 2021, thanks to the cross-border structural grant, developed and implemented together with the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iași, Romania.

The project is funded by the European Union through the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration, and European Funds of the Romanian Government. Its funding is provided through the Common Operational Program Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020, with a budget of 1,439,631 euros, of which 326,400 euros constitute the budget of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

WHAT THE OBDIA-NET PROJECT ENTAILS

Overall, the OBDIA-NET project involves the unification, integration, and consolidation of regional capacities through: (1) creating a network of excellence in providing health services, (2) medical research (fundamental, preclinical, and clinical), and (3) medical education among entities with expertise in obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders (OMD).

Just a few months away from completion, the OBDIA-NET project has developed and implemented, together with the Romanian counterpart, a transnational and multidisciplinary regional network of medical services, research, and training. The network consists of 12 thematically interconnected centers serving the population in the border area on both sides of the Prut River. Thus, three of the 12 centers within the “Cross-border integrated network for advanced health services in obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders” were established in Chișinău, and these are:

1. The Bariatric Surgery Center, developed and led by Professor Adrian Hotineanu. The center is located within the Republican Clinical Hospital “Timofei Moșneaga”;
2. The Center for Obesity Control and Prevention in Children and Adults, coordinated by Associate Professor Lorina Vudu. This center is located both at the Mother and Child Institute and at the Republican Clinical Hospital “Timofei Moșneaga”;
3. The Adipose Tissue Biology Research Center, located in Block 1 “Leonid Cobâleanschi” of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, guided and developed by researcher Associate Professor Mihai Todiraș. In order to carry out research in the field of biomedicine, a Leica confocal microscope, worth 5.1 million lei, was purchased and put into operation on May 13, 2022. Currently, the functional confocal microscopy equipment is part of the Research and Molecular Biology Laboratory of the National Institute of Research in Medicine and Health of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

According to the Vice-Rector for Research, Academician Stanislav Groppa, the exploitation of the confocal microscope will provide the opportunity to intensify and expand research activities in accordance with the Strategic Development Plan of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Strategy for Strengthening Research and Innovation for the period 2021-2030.

“This project represents a cornerstone for today and tomorrow” – Academician Stanislav GROPPA

“Collaboration with ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași is an honor and a special opportunity, as we are a population with common history, traditions, and roots. This project represents a cornerstone for today and tomorrow, we have unique ways to study important issues related to improving the quality of life of the population, which would allow us to extrapolate and propose precise strategies for prevention and treatment,” considers Academician Stanislav Groppa.

The acquisition of a confocal microscope by “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy represents a significant moment in the development of the research infrastructure of this institution.

In this context, Victoria Craveț, the financial manager of the project, emphasizes that this equipment, considered one of the most costly research acquisitions:

“The confocal microscope is one of the most expensive research equipment purchased under the project for ‘Nicolae Testemițanu’ State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, being a first link in investments in the research infrastructure of the University,” states the financial manager of the project, Victoria Craveț, Vice-Rector for Economic and Financial Activity.

The institutional project coordinator, Evelina Gherghelegiu, Head of the Department of External Relations and European Integration, mentions that the results obtained in the project are directly due to the support provided by the Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine “Prof. Ostin C. Mungiu” – CEMEX of “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași and the support of the rectorates of both universities.

In conclusion, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași is a strategic partner of “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the cross-border collaboration between the two profile institutions within the OBDIA-NET project represents a guarantee for an academic working climate of high scientific level, likely to generate valuable results in the future.