http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20360 Materials of the National Scientific Conference with International participation ”Water and health: achievements and challenges” Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:08:25 GMT 2026-04-19T18:08:25Z http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20399 One Health & Risk Management. 2022, Vol. 3 No 2, Supplement One Health & Risk Management is a biannual scientific journal for specialists in medical and biological sciences, which was founded in 2019 within the Moldavian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (MDBBA). The journal accepts submissions in Romanian, English, French and Russian, in accordance with current international standards and guidelines. The Journal policy is aligned with the new concepts of international organizations (WHO, OIE FAO, etc.), such as One Health Approach, enclosed within a cooperative, multisectoral, transdisciplinary, national and international framework. The current state of the contemporary world in terms of depth and dynamics of changes, as well as the accelerated rate of research and innovation on evidence-based risk management, generate a progressive growth in the amount of medical and biological data. Therefore, One Health & Risk Management Journal will support and publish manuscripts based on scientific evidence on human, animal and environmental health. The priority for acceptance would be given to those articles which report study results on identification of specific hazards and risk assessment associated with these hazards, development and analysis of potential risk management options, as well as selection and implementation of a specific monitoring and evaluation strategy used for risk management. The rigorous review process (double-blind peer review) will involve professionals from various scientific fields, who comply with the international ethical guidelines for scientific publications. One Health & Risk Management magazine will increase its visibility by exchanging articles with other relevant publications and collaborating with similar national and international organizations, as well as via its website, which includes the recently published articles, providing the opportunity to get real-time information (Free Open Access). The editorial board of the magazine brings together outstanding personalities, both from the country and abroad, who help to maintain the journal to the highest scientific standards. Fondator: Asociația de Biosiguranță și Biosecuritate din Republica Moldova Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20399 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20398 Implementating the water safety planning in the Republic of Moldova Salaru, Ion Introduction. Water safety planning is a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that includes all steps in a drinking-water supply chain, from catchment to consumer. A Water Safety Plan (WSP) is a plan to ensure the safety of drinking water through this approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes WSP as the most reliable and effective way to manage drinking-water supplies to safeguard public health. WSPs provide a proactive approach to ensure water safety through good management of the complete water supply system. This involves understanding the complete system, identifying where and how problems could arise, setting up barriers and control systems to prevent problems before they occur and ensure that all parts of the system continue to function properly. The successful development and implementation of WSPs can help improve the understanding of the water supply system, improve stakeholder collaboration, improve operational efficiencies of the utility and provide a strong framework to better target more sustainable long-term capital investments. Material and methods. This research was aimed to evaluate the existing tools for developing WSPs and identify gaps in the process, as well as to identify ways to support water operators and local authorities in developing WSPs based on a risk assessment of their water supply systems. Results. To support water supply operators and local authorities in the development of WSPs, two UNECE-supported training workshops were organized in 2015 and 2016 for 50 water supply systems, mostly urban, but also including 10 small rural operators. In 2017, by the joint order no. 609/65/2017 of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment, the National Guidelines for the Development of a Water Safety Plan were adopted and entered into force. To ensure the participation of territorial Public Health Centers in the process, a training was organized for public health professionals on the presentation of the provisions of the Guidelines and the role of public health in coordination. This Guidance provides necessary support and describes all the 9 steps to be followed in this process: (i) Assemble a local team involving all relevant stakeholders (water operator, municipality, local community, school, NGO, public health, local entrepreneurs; (ii)evaluation and description of water supply system; (iii) identification of hazards and assessing risks; (iv) risk prioritization, establishing and validation of control measures; (v)monitoring of control measures; (vi) preparation of management procedures; (vii) validation and verification of monitoring; (viii) developing supporting programs; (ix) documentation and registration. Taking into account that water operators have different levels of understanding and skills, it was decided to develop different models of Water Safety Plans in order to support them in practice. As a result, we have developed WSP in 2 locations: Carpineni, Hincesti, which is the largest rural settlement in Republic of Moldova, having a complex water supply system (artesian wells and springs) and Serpeni, AneniiNoi, which operates a water treatment plant. This makes possible to disseminate better practices in WSP development and implementation. Conclusions. Benefits of implementation of WSP results in better protection of public health, maximizing existing resources, improving water supply practices, providing a decision-making framework for all stakeholders, as well as encouraging investments in water supply system based on risk assessment. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20398 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20397 The relationship between the wastewater treatment process resulting from the activity of medical institutions and the maintenance of a healthy and safe environment Gutu, Luminita; Croitoru, Catalina; Ciobanu, Elena; Cheptea, Dumitru; Sofronie, Vasile Introduction. Access to safe water and hygiene is a precondition for a healthy life. In the Republic of Moldova, it has been estimated that the incidence of acute diarrhea and hepatitis A is about 15-20%, gastrointestinal diseases account for 22-25% and 100% of dental fluorosis are caused by the drinking water quality. Effective communication with the population in order to prevent diseases related to water quality and poor hygiene, protection and management of water resources, and rational use of water are essential elements in the development and implementation of national environmental and health policies. One of the objectives of the National Program for the Implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health is to increase the level of relevant knowledge on drinking water safety, hygiene and health among population up to 80% by 2025 and up to 85% by 2030. Material and methods. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of communication and awareness-raising activities on drinking water, hygiene and health. The communication and information interventions carried out in the Republic of Moldova over the last 10 years were evaluated, as well as the review of the specialized literature in the field of health communication in relation to the environment. Results. Communication and information dissemination to the public on water and health issues is carried out in the following ways, including: (i) Publication of regular official reports. These reports are prepared and published annually on the official websites of the authorities (National Agency for Public Health, Ministry of Environment, State Ecological Inspectorate, etc.) and contain data on water quality from various sources, access to improved water systems and disease incidence, water protection measures, pollution prevention and impact prevention. It should be noted that these reports are written in an academic, technical style that is often difficult to understand for most of population. (ii) World Days Awareness Campaigns. World Water Day (March 22) and International Handwashing Day (October 15) are marked annually. The actions carried out during these events usually focus on information through the media, training of specialists, policy dialogues at different levels, media coverage through social networks, distribution of information materials, interpersonal communication, etc. Such actions are usually not financially supported and with a less impact on the authorities and the population. (iii) Communication and awareness campaigns on raising the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices. These actions aim to change knowledge, attitudes and/or behaviors regarding a certain issue related to water quality, sanitation or hygiene, and are carried out in a certain period of time, with planned objectives and achievable results. Conclusions. Effective communication with the public and active dissemination of information are the key elements in the development and implementation of environmental and health policies. Communication mechanisms, in terms of educational activities and public awareness and information campaigns, are regularly used tools to increase understanding the relationship between water and health at the Community level. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20397 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20396 Communication and raising public awareness in promoting drinking water safety, hygiene and health Silitrari, Natalia; Salaru, Ion Introduction. Access to safe water and hygiene is a precondition for a healthy life. In the Republic of Moldova, it has been estimated that the incidence of acute diarrhea and hepatitis A is about 15-20%, gastrointestinal diseases account for 22-25% and 100% of dental fluorosis are caused by the drinking water quality. Effective communication with the population in order to prevent diseases related to water quality and poor hygiene, protection and management of water resources, and rational use of water are essential elements in the development and implementation of national environmental and health policies. One of the objectives of the National Program for the Implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health is to increase the level of relevant knowledge on drinking water safety, hygiene and health among population up to 80% by 2025 and up to 85% by 2030. Material and methods. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of communication and awareness-raising activities on drinking water, hygiene and health. The communication and information interventions carried out in the Republic of Moldova over the last 10 years were evaluated, as well as the review of the specialized literature in the field of health communication in relation to the environment. Results. Communication and information dissemination to the public on water and health issues is carried out in the following ways, including: (i) Publication of regular official reports. These reports are prepared and published annually on the official websites of the authorities (National Agency for Public Health, Ministry of Environment, State Ecological Inspectorate, etc.) and contain data on water quality from various sources, access to improved water systems and disease incidence, water protection measures, pollution prevention and impact prevention. It should be noted that these reports are written in an academic, technical style that is often difficult to understand for most of population. (ii) World Days Awareness Campaigns. World Water Day (March 22) and International Handwashing Day (October 15) are marked annually. The actions carried out during these events usually focus on information through the media, training of specialists, policy dialogues at different levels, media coverage through social networks, distribution of information materials, interpersonal communication, etc. Such actions are usually not financially supported and with a less impact on the authorities and the population. (iii) Communication and awareness campaigns on raising the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices. These actions aim to change knowledge, attitudes and/or behaviors regarding a certain issue related to water quality, sanitation or hygiene, and are carried out in a certain period of time, with planned objectives and achievable results. Conclusions. Effective communication with the public and active dissemination of information are the key elements in the development and implementation of environmental and health policies. Communication mechanisms, in terms of educational activities and public awareness and information campaigns, are regularly used tools to increase understanding the relationship between water and health at the Community level. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.usmf.md:80/xmlui/handle/20.500.12710/20396 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z