On September 19-21, 2011 the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova with the support of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund hosted the working visit to Chisinau of Dr. Philip Davies, General Director of the European Association of Cervical Cancer. The mission aimed to offer support to national experts in the process of evaluation of the current situation in the field of cervical cancer in the Republic of Moldova and to formulate recommendations and policies in accordance with the international standards.

During the mission Dr. Davies participated to several meetings with governmental leaders of the Republic of Moldova and with main specialists from the Ministry of Health, and visited several public medical institutions, in order to make a proper analysis of the current situation on technical possibilities and human capacity within the implementation of screening programs, as well as to highlight the necessity of an efficient screening of cervical cancer at the incipient stage, which would allow the application of a proper treatment for combating the disease and increase the longevity of the patient. The visit agenda also included a round table with mass-media representatives, especially members of ”Pro-Health” club. The participants to this meeting discussed on challenges and perspectives within cervical cancer prevention in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time Dr Davies shared the experience of the Chisinau of Dr. Philip Davies, General Director of the European in the process of capacity building in the field of cervical cancer in European countries. Also, the discussions highlighted the necessity of mass-media implication in the process of population information in order to raise public awareness on risks and possibilities of prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

The recommendations proposed by Dr. Philip Davies will contribute to the development of the national framework that will assure an equal access of all women to quality services within prevention of cervical cancer.

The issue of the oncological morbidity is one of the basic problems in the public health system of the Republic of Moldova. Although the oncology today has modern and effective methods of diagnosis and treatment, an increase in the cancer incidence and mortality has been noticed in recent years in several countries, including the Republic of Moldova. Considerable predominance of the advanced form of cervical cancer (detected on 3d and 4th stages) more than half of all the cases of cervical cancer (56,6%, 2010) are the alarming facts in Republic of Moldova during last years. Over 80% of all the cases of cervical cancer registered in the country are cases in which women aged over 40 years are affected.