What happened in 2008?

Building on last year, HelpAge Moldova and Second Breath formed a delegation with two representatives from each of our 14 Moldovan partner organisations. This gave the delegation a fully representative voice for Moldovan older people.

The meeting focused on including older people in government decision-making, and raised the issues of social protection and health insurance for older people.

The delegation presented a list of asks to officials, including:

• an increase in the level of pension payments for all pensioners as part of the new pension reform
• a twice-yearly indexation of pensions to bring payments in line with minimum subsistence requirements
  
• reintegration of older people in society through communal social services
• better healthcare and access to free medication and services.

At the meeting ministers announced the launch of a new programme to ensure financial support for the most vulnerable older people. Older people seeking assistance will have their income and support needs assessed by evaluating the situation of their immediate family.

Other exciting commitments were:

• To open more community centres and to improve the facilities at those already running.
• To distribute medicines to local doctors in areas where there is no pharmacy. This will ensure easier access to appropriate treatment for older persons.
• Over three years train a group of doctors to become specialists in geriatrics. They will be trained abroad as Moldovan medical practitioners lack experience in this area.

Highlights from 2007

Last year’s Age Demands Action campaign resulted in a commitment from the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child to revise its strategy on ageing in line with MIPAA.

A Commission on older people’s issues was set up, with a mission to improve the lives of older people in Moldova.

The government also agreed to expand the range of medicines are available to older people free of charge, to include those recommended by the delegation.

The delegation

Valentina Micotina, Leader of Inspiration

Inspiration campaigns for older people’s social and economic rights. It also organises leisure activities for older people, such as choir singing, sewing and embroidery.  Handicrafts made by the older people are sold at the exhibitions in Comrat and Chisinau.

Valentina Carchelan, Leader of Veterans of War and Work

Veterans of War and Work organise activities for veterans and pensioners to enhance the social, economic and cultural aspects of their lives.

Claudia Cirja, Leader of Women’s Club Comunitate

Comunitate is a charity providing medical, humanitarian and social assistance for vulnerable people.

Constantin Olteanu, Leader of Artizana

Artizana provides moral and financial support to older, disabled and other vulnerable people in the community. It provides training in income generating skills, such as basket making.

Galina Cecalev, Leader of Women’s Club Speranta

Speranta campaigns for the rights of the older people, focusing essentially on women.

Vera Ciobanu, Pro-Democratia

Pro-Democratia enables citizens to take an active part in social and democratic policy-making processes by raising awareness, inspiring social activism and motivating people. It campaigns for the social, economic and cultural rights of vulnerable people. The leader of the organisation is Viorica Cutitaru.

Lidia Crigleacovschi, Older People’s Hope

Older People's Hope provides medical assistance, homecare and palliative care for older people and other vulnerable groups, many of whom are chronically ill. The organisation provides moral support and builds the self-esteem of the people it works with. The leader of the organisation is Alexandra Tetiu.

Eleonora Bogus, Leader of Demnitate

Demnitate campaigns for the rights veterans and pensioners who were victims of deportation during Stalin regime, and works to reintegrate them in social and cultural life.

Irina Baicalov, Leader of Second Breath

Second Breath improves older people’s standard of living by raising awareness and offering legal advice. It  provides community services for social assistance and palliative care.

Larisa Chirilenco, Leader of Avante

Avante promotes democratic and traditional values in society. It carries out awareness raising activities and contributes to the development of the socio-economic and cultural potential of the community.

Valeriu Cernei, Leader of Kindness

Kindness raises public awareness of older people's problems and needs by publishing articles in the media and meeting with representatives from public authorities. The leader of the organisation is Petru Tarhon.

Valeriu Marciuc, Leader of Age Without Sadness

Age Without Sadness provides social and medical assistance, homecare and palliative care for older people and other vulnerable groups in its day care centre.

Elena Stempovschi, Leader of The National Association of Nursing

The Association of Nursing works to improve the quality of medical and palliative care for older people, and promotes healthy living for all.

Ala Mironic, Leader of The National Council of Veterans

The National Council of Veterans campaigns for the rights of the Second World War veterans, and lobbies for pensioners’ rights.