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Redefining healthcare in Chișinău

Author: Rodrigo Juárez

Energy savings are transforming lives at Sfânta Treime hospital

Nestled in a quiet, tree-lined corner of North Chișinău, Spitalul Clinic Municipal Sfânta Treime serves not only as a centre for healing, but also as a model of forward-thinking care. Bright corridors stretch through the hospital, echoing with quiet footsteps and the calm conversations of the dedicated medical staff. These walls have witnessed transformation, not only in how patients are treated, but also in how energy itself has become an ally in saving lives.

Sfânta Treime has undergone a deep transformation thanks to the support of the EBRD and the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P), to which the European Union and Sweden are the largest contributors. It is part of a wider initiative with a focus on energy efficiency refurbishment of healthcare institutions in four Moldovan districts. Energy-saving upgrades have not only made the hospital greener and more comfortable, but they have also freed up crucial resources.

The energy efficiency measures have led to an impressive 40 per cent reduction in energy use, saving nearly 3.9 million kWh annually and cutting utility costs by approximately €330,000 each year. These savings, made possible by upgrades such as better insulation, modern windows, advanced lighting systems and rooftop solar panels, have enabled the hospital to reallocate critical funds, directly benefiting the operating theatre where they’re needed most.

“We used to work in older surgical rooms with weak lighting and inconsistent temperature control,” recalls Dr Gheorghe Lupu, head of interventional radiology. “Now we have bright, air-conditioned rooms where both patients and staff feel safe and focused. But the most important change is the equipment.”

While the E5P and EBRD support focused on the hospital’s energy efficiency upgrades, the cost savings generated have enabled Sfânta Treime to invest in cutting-edge medical technology; most notably a technically advanced angiograph, which now sits at the heart of the new surgical theatre.

“This new angiograph is equipped with all the advanced software necessary for modern intervention,” explains Dr Lupu. “It allows us to carry out much more complex procedures, with greater precision and less discomfort for the patient. That means faster recovery, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays.”

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His colleague, Dr Radu Vasilev, a young resident surgeon, describes his daily routine with quiet pride. “Every day, we begin by visiting our patients, understanding their conditions and planning interventions. The equipment we have now is among the best in the country as it enables us to deliver results we could only dream of before.”

These improvements are not just technical; they are deeply human. Patients with advanced vascular disease are now able to walk out of the hospital days sooner. Surgeons can now work with greater confidence and less stress. Resident staff are now motivated to train on world-class equipment, gaining skills that will serve Moldova’s healthcare system for decades.

As Dr Radu makes his way up to the hospital’s rooftop, he’s greeted by a field of sleek solar panels, quietly capturing the morning sun. These panels supply clean energy for lighting, air purification systems and even the operating theatre below.

Walking back through the hospital’s long, sunlit corridors, one thing is clear: energy efficiency is about much more than climate targets and cost savings. It’s also about people, improving their lives by freeing up resources that can be invested in better healthcare and life-changing technology.

What began as a structural effort at the hospital has become a symbol of progress; proof that when communities and donors unite around a common purpose, the results can be both life-saving and lasting.

About the E5P

The E5P is a multi-donor fund helping Moldova to finance green municipal infrastructure that saves energy and fosters reform. The E5P provides investment grants that are blended with loans from international financial institutions, such as the EBRD.

Active donors to the E5P in Moldova are the European Union, Sweden, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United States of America.