The Impact of the Pandemic Crisis on the Financing Mechanism of the Health Care System in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Health care is one of the basic services guaranteed by the state companies. The level of spending on health, like those on education, can be considered an indicator of the level of development of a nation. Most countries with advanced economies allocate important resources to finance the health sector, as a premise for the healthiest possible generations and long-term sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone. Globally, millions of people have been infected with this virus, and hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. The topic addressed is considered to be actual considering that in the Republic of Moldova the pandemic is putting increasing pressure on the health care and social protection systems, causing major interruptions of economic processes and limitations of social life, deepening inequalities and proving how vulnerable we are. The era of COVID-19 has transformed the healthcare system into an extremely important sector. In addition to increasing spending on the necessary health care and implementing all actions in a non-pandemic situation, additional resources are needed to prevent, spread and treat the coronavirus. The Republic of Moldova has recognized the fundamental role of health protection, representing an essential condition that contributes to increasing the quality of life of the population, as well as to the development of health capital. The national security and economic development of the country largely depends on the functioning of an effective health care financing system in order to preserve the health of the population as the main productive force of society. The main purpose of the paper is to analyze the impact of the pandemic crisis on the financing mechanism of the health care system in the Republic of Moldova. The given research analyzes the total expenses for health protection and their structure in the Republic of Moldova. We also analyze the financing mechanism, during the pandemic crisis, of the health care system in the Republic of Moldova. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53486/cike2023.54; UDC: [336/02+005/915:614]:614.4(478); JEL: H12, H51, I18.