Vasile Tofan
Tofan said that he had met with representatives of the medical tourism sector and, after speaking with business owners, concluded that bureaucratic procedures are hindering the industry’s development.
“Dental treatment in Moldova costs 10,000 euros, while in Italy it costs 30,000 euros. Our dentists are treating elderly Italians. This is an industry that didn’t exist before. The government did not allocate any funds to create it; no one even thought about it, but the private sector created it. And now this industry generates tens of millions in export revenue, and our doctors work here and don’t leave. I’ve familiarized myself in detail with the requirements for accrediting a dental office. So, for a dental office to receive accreditation, for example, it must meet 35 pages of criteria. Among other things, it must have a contract with a priest. I’m not kidding. It says right there that you must have an agreement with a religious institution,” Tofan stated on public television.
“Slaying Dragons”
The prime minister questioned the necessity of such requirements and said that this issue is scheduled to be discussed at a government meeting.
Tofan also cited the example of a businesswoman who produces cheese in Basarabeasca. According to Tofan, the woman reported that she is being inspected by the National Food Safety Agency and that she has to fill out too much paperwork even to sell 500 kilograms of cheese.
The Prime Minister believes that the government should begin reviewing the current regulatory system.
“We have a great deal of work ahead of us. There are numerous regulatory ‘dragons’ that need to be gradually eliminated. And the support of civil servants is very important here, because these documents are in their hands. They must find the courage to act. If we don’t change something, we won’t change the country,” the prime minister concluded.
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