Exchange of experience with Germany in the field of medical self-governance

Representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Health and the German Medical Association (GMA) visited Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy on January 28, 2026, in order to identify areas of cooperation and exchange good practices in the field of medical self-governance.

The delegation included: Dr. Andreas Botzlar, Co-Chair of the GMA Committee for International Affairs, Vice-President of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) and Vice-Chair of the Bavarian Medical College; Dr. Ramin Parsa-Parsi, Head of the Department for International Affairs within the GMA; Domen Podnar, Policy Advisor/Referent within the aforementioned department, and Galina Manthei, Head of the Directorate for Bilateral Health Policies at the German Federal Ministry of Health.

During the meeting with the University's administrative team, First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi, Vice-Rector for Teaching Activity and Academic Management, has presented Nicolae Testemitanu University and highlighted its contribution to the training and continuing medical education of specialists, emphasizing the fact that it is the only institution which trains staff for the healthcare system of Moldova and 35 other countries.

Marcel Abras, Vice-Rector for Clinical Activity Management, reported on postgraduate studies through residency: "At the current stage, at Nicolae Testemitanu University, 1300 resident doctors are studying in over 60 specialties, they can go on mobility to university hospitals abroad for a period of about 3 months in order to gain experience, but their basic activity must be carried out in medical and health institutions of our country. The curriculum has been adapted according to those from the European Union countries". Vice-rector Abras has emphasized that Nicolae Testemitanu University does not yet have a university hospital, but regional hospitals are to be built in the cities of Cahul and Balti while the country's leadership will decide on this aspect.

In turn, Dr. Andreas Botzlar gave an overview of the professional career of doctors in the German medical system based on the principles of self-development and self-government. There are approximately 500,000 doctors in Germany, who are required to be members of the State Chamber of the College of Physicians, an institution that operates in each federal state. At the national level, these chambers are coordinated by a supervisory organization – the German Medical Association.

The State Chamber is responsible for the mandatory registration of every doctor in Germany and for managing their professional careers, development of the curriculum for each specialty, accrediting hospitals, and organizing state examinations for granting the specialist doctor title. The State Chamber also supervises continuing medical education programs. In addition to the specialist diploma, doctors are required to regularly attend specialist conferences and other professional events in order to stay abreast of developments in the field and to constantly update their knowledge.

Finally, First Vice-Rector Olga Cernetchi has thanked the German side for the information provided and expressed her hope for a fruitful bilateral collaboration, specifying that German experts are always welcome in the Republic of Moldova and at Nicolae Testemitanu University.

On the same day, a conference was held at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, attended by the German delegation, representatives of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, professional medical associations from the Republic of Moldova, and managers of public medical and health institutions.

"This conference marks an important step in our dialogue with German partners. We are focusing on structural reforms that will provide medical professions with a clear framework for self-governance, enhance professional responsibility and increase patient trust in the healthcare system," Health Minister Emil Ceban stated.

The forum discussed the directions of reform in the healthcare system, with an emphasis on the establishment of the College of Physicians of the Republic of Moldova, the consolidation of professional medical self-governance, the law on malpractice, and the development of continuing professional training, in accordance with EU standards.

On January 29, the delegation visited the Center for Molecular Medicine, the Center for Personalized Medicine, the Health Sciences Library, and the University Sociocultural Complex.