The ombudsman alerts: the people who treats at home of Sars-COV-2 are violated their rights to life and health. Mihail Cotorobai recommended the Ministry of health, labor and social protection (MSMPS) to take urgent action to ensure the right to life and health to the target people.

The ombudsman considers that patients with Covid-19 who are treated at home do not receive the necessary assistance from the relevant authorities, which involves risks of violation of fundamental rights, in particular the rights to life and health of the target people.

This issue has come to the Ombudsman’s attention because more and more often in address to the Ombudsman, but also on social networks and in press people express their dissatisfaction with the fact that home treatment, including post-COVID-19, although expensive, isn’t covered by the compulsory health insurance account. It is also reported that there is a deficit of medicines needed in pharmacies in the country for home treatment, and the prices are artificially increased. [1].

This is happening as the number of hospital beds available nationwide decreases dramatically [2],   and the number of patients with moderate and even moderate-severe forms of the disease being treated at home increase.

In addition, both GP and patients are concerned about the lack of clarity on the tactics of home treatment of patients in moderate or moderate-severe conditions. There are no certain guidelines, protocols / unified recommendations, family doctors propose different schemes, which contradict each other, which causes mistrust and anxiety among patients.

Due to the chaotic approach to treatment at home, many people infected with Covid-19 use treatment schemes from social networks or other uncertain sources.

In this way, in the opinion of the People’s Advocate, the patient’s right to correct information, quality and health safety is violated.

Mihail Cotorobai considers that the described situation requires urgent action by the authorities to ensure that the right to life and health of persons infected with Sars-VOC-2 who are treated at home is respected.

The People’s Advocate emphasizes that the Supreme Law of the country, guarantee the right to health care through article art.36; imposes the public authorities the mission to regulate the main areas and aspects of the realization of this right. At the same time, OMS stipulates the obligation of the state to ensure that health services are available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality.

That is why the People’s Advocate recommended MSMPS to issue as soon as possible a document (recommendations / clinical protocol) for family doctors to standardize home treatment for people with Covid-19 with various forms (moderate and severe).

The Ombudsman also calls for the development of an algorithm that would provide equitable access to the necessary investigations (laboratory and imaging) for people with Covid-19 who are being treated at home (with Medication Compulsory Health Insurance coverage), in order to be given quality treatment according to health needs.

Mihail Cotorobai also proposes the inclusion of the drugs indicated in the home treatment of various forms of Covid-19 infection, as well as those necessary for post-Covid rehabilitation in the List of reimbursed drugs from the Single Program of the Compulsory Health Insurance.

The document also recommends that MSMPS, together with the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices ensure the access of the population to the necessary medicines; monitor and analyze prices for medicines indicated in the treatment of various forms of Covid-19, with limits on increasing them in pharmacies.

Human Rights Promotion and Communication Division

Tel.: 060002656

Public Policies and Legislation Division

Tel: 060002644

[1] https://www.sanatateinfo.md/News/Item/9890

[2] https://newsmaker.md/ro/in-spitalele-din-chisinau-nu-mai-sunt-locuri-pentru-bolnavii-infectati-cu-covid-19/