About WHO in the Republic of Moldova

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO was founded in 1948 to work for the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all peoples. WHO works with 194 Member States, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and articulating evidence-based policy options. It also provides technical support to Member States, monitors and assesses health trends, funds medical research and provides emergency aid during disasters. Through its programmes, WHO also works to improve nutrition, housing, sanitation and working conditions around the world. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has six regional offices around the world.

The European Region (WHO/Europe)

WHO/Europe is one of WHO’s six regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. WHO/Europe staff are public health, scientific and technical experts, based in the main office in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 7 technical centres and in country offices in 30 Member States (plus one planned). In addition, WHO/Europe coordinates with the European Union and its agencies, and is host organization and partner of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

WHO Country Office, Republic of Moldova

WHO country offices represent the World Health Organization in its work to

• support the development of policies and strategies in the health sector and those influencing health;
• channel technical advice;
• promote and develop partnerships;
• promote the health dimension;
• share information on health topics. 

The role of a WHO/Europe country office is also to respond to requests from the host country to support policy-making for sustainable health development, taking a holistic health-system approach. This includes providing guidance, building up local relationships to implement technical cooperation, making standards and agreements and ensuring that public health measures are coordinated and in place during crises.

The WHO Country Office, Republic of Moldova, was established in 1995, in Chisinau, to provide continuous support to health authorities and partners in improving population health through evidence-based, sustainable public health and health care interventions as well as to advise on health in all policies. Over the years the Office has been the focal point for all WHO activities in the Republic of Moldova. In 2011 the WHO Country Office profile was upgraded. The Office is now under the leadership of a WHO Representative/Head of Country Office and is scaling up the level of activities to support national policy development.

The Country Office team consists of over ten persons: the WHO Representative/Head of Country Office, administrative and logistic support staff, as well as experts covering:

• health systems and public health
• public health services
• maternal and child health
• communicable diseases
• noncommunicable diseases 
• human resources for health
• disaster preparedness and response.

The priorities for the Country Office are set out in the biennial collaborative agreement between WHO/Europe and the host country. The Office implements the agreement in close collaboration with national institutions and international partner agencies.

Regions for Health Network (RHN)

Since 1993, the WHO European Regions for Health Network (RHN) has helped regions to accelerate the delivery of improved population health. RHN is committed to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the European Programme of Work (EPW), 2020 –2025.The Network is instrumental in efforts “to support local living environments that enable health and well-being”.

South-eastern Europe Health Network

For over a decade, SEEHN has been the undisputed vehicle of health development in the areas of mental health, communicable diseases, food safety and nutrition, blood safety, tobacco control, information systems, maternal and neonatal health, public health services and health systems.