„In Memoriam Nicolae Testemitanu”

In Memoriam: Nicolae Testemitanu is the generic title of the commemorative session dedicated to the illustrious healthcare organizer, brilliant scientist and educator, held at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova on October 18, 2022. The session opened the series of anniversary events organized in the context of the University Days.

The commemorative session was inaugurated by Rector Emil Ceban, who spoke to the audience about the major dimensions of the personality of Professor Nicolae Testemitanu - representative of the University’s golden class. "Due to his special qualities and high public virtues he stood out in the role of a group leader as a student, as chief physician of the Republican Clinical Hospital - position held at only 28 years of age – as rector of Chisinau State Institute of Medicine - at 32, and as Minister of Health – at 36. The history of our university has only one celebrity of such rank, and we do not know when we will have another, because such personalities are born once in a few hundred years. Our duty is to honor with special respect the memory of Professor Nicolae Testemitanu for the reforms initiated in the health system, which have not lost their relevance until today. Everything we have inherited is valuable and necessary, these achievements being for the benefit of medicine, even if it has evolved considerably in the meantime", stressed rector Ceban.

The moderator of the event, Associate Professor Elena Raevschi, head of Nicolae Testemitanu Department of Social Medicine and Management, has highlighted that the eminent pioneer's contribution to higher medical education, but also to health protection, is substantial and unique and will remain as the brightest page in our history. "Illustrious thinkers of all times, concerned with human progress, have largely focused on the concept of training in the field, on the continuous development of research in order to generate innovations, but also to implement the results. Professor Testemițanu is appreciated for pioneering the strategy of training national medical personnel by explaining the concept of continuing training of doctors and pharmacists as well as for developing the concept of organizing specialized healthcare for the rural population at the place of residence, and as Minister of Health – for strengthening the national health system by implementing contemporary treatment methods". At the same time, she reiterated the fact that, under the leadership of Prof. Testemitanu, the department's employees carried out original research studies awarded with the State Prize.

According to academician Stanislav Groppa, Vice-Rector for research activity, it is an honor, but at the same time, very complicated to talk about Nicolae Testemitanu, a scientist with a special biography: "A nation is strong through its representatives, and a university - through the outstanding personalities who contributed to the development of the institution, founded schools and opened paths for the future. Through his activity, Nicolae Testemitanu represents the golden class that brought fame to the entire Institute of Medicine. We are lucky and proud to be the disciples of the great Nicolae Testemitanu, considered a symbol of Moldova and of high professionalism, but we also have a special responsibility to preserve the legacy in medicine which he left us, to ensure the continuity of his activity and achievements and to honor his memory".

For his part, Iulian Grossu, Associate Professor and disciple of the illustrious scientist, mentioned that Nicolae Testemitanu, a personality of great humanity, believed that the nation’s physical and spiritual health constitute two fundamental values​. "The scientist’s contribution to the development of medical theory and practice, his works in the field of public health and management represent an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the reformation of the medical system to this day. The name of Nicolae Testemitanu - elite thinker, promoter of authentic spiritual values, leader who knew how to listen with his soul like a true intellectual, endowed with a fantastic power to orient himself and retain the essential, will shine brightly in the constellation of brilliant doctors of the Republic of Moldova", emphasized Iulian Grosu.

In the opinion of another disciple, Professor Dumitru Tintiuc, "the scientist’s personality is like a mountain that can be contemplated from a distance to see all its greatness, the specifics of his creative activity and his spirit of sacrifice. A well-rounded personality, who has immortalized himself through his work based on truth and beauty, philanthropic efforts and social equity. The great Nicolae Testemitanu created new possibilities for medicine in the Republic of Moldova, promoted young talents in the medical field and laid the foundation for medical institutions and the entire health system of the country".

Professor Fiodor Grejdean has also highlighted the fact that Nicolae Testemitanu was a patriot of national medicine, who believed that actions speak louder than words. "His strategic concept regarding the development of medicine resides in the training of national professionals, which is the key to success and a fundamental requirement of the nation, thus contributing to the elimination of the differences related to access to health services in urban and rural environments. As a minister, he contributed to the reform of the hospital service and to the development of the strategic concept for the implementation of specialized outpatient services at the rural level. As head of department, Nicolae Testemitanu implemented the staffing norms to provide the necessary number of health specialists for the population and the required number of beds in hospitals, for the development of emergency healthcare and the creation of a training school for managers of medical institutions. The current generations of doctors have a lot to learn from Nicolae Testemitanu, namely, to dedicate themselves to achieving the goal they have chosen, to always be involved in patriotic activity and to remain honest in relations with peers, regardless of the position they hold", concluded Fiodor Grejdean.

According to university professor Viorel Prisacari, the illustrious scientist advocated for the introduction of the Romanian language in the teaching and training of local specialists, opened faculties for the provision of specialized medical assistance, advocated for the training of staff abroad and the defence of an impressive number of doctoral theses, thus contributing to developing the scientific-didactic potential of the Institute of Medicine. "Nicolae Testemitanu is the only patriot in history thanks to the civic courage that was consumed for the future. We, the generations of today and tomorrow, must follow his example, appreciate him for his deeds and be proud of the university and the chair that bears his name", stated Viorel Prisacari.

The head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Professor Nicolae Caproș, emphasized the fact that Nicolae Testemitanu was a titan in the modern medicine, who contributed substantially to the development of the orthopedics and traumatology service in the Republic of Moldova, laid the foundations for tissue preservation in our country, later implemented in the curative activity.

Professor Mihail Ciocanu also spoke about the history of emergency medical care in the Republic of Moldova, noting that it is currently valued by the World Health Organization as one of the most reliable services in the country: "The distinguished professor recommended, together with other researchers from the department , using the linear method of planning the pre-hospital emergency medical assistance service based on three factors: the number of population, the number of doctors in the given region and the condition of the roads in the region where an entity of this service was to be established".

At the end of the session, Gheorghe Buruiană, the president of the Association of Students and Residents in Medicine from Moldova, mentioned that today the name of Nicolae Testemitanu represents much more, meaning tradition and history that is known not only in our country, but also abroad due to the students and graduates of the University, who have been sacredly promoting his name.

On this occasion, the Health Sciences Library launched a book exhibition entitled "Life and activity of the illustrious health care organizer, eminent scientist and educator Nicolae Testemitanu", and a photography exhibition.

 The event culminated with the laying of flowers at the bust of the distinguished predecessor, located in the courtyard of the main building of the University.