Contributions of Japan Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Secretariat to the Establishment of Moldova’s DMAT and the Achievements of the Training Program

Summary: From January 2023 to March 2024, a project supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed to establish a DMAT in Moldova. The Japan DMAT Secretariat designed a comprehensive training program and provided essential materials. Collaboration with Moldova’s National Center for Emergency Prehospital Medical Assistance (CNAMUP) and the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP) was crucial in enhancing Moldova’s disaster medical capabilities. Key activities included training sessions in Japan, site evaluations, and the implementation of a training course for future trainers in July 2024. More than 20 participants from Moldova’s key medical institutions, including the CNAMUP and the Institute of Emergency Medicine, completed the training. A significant achievement was the successful Training of Trainers course, where Moldovan professionals, who had previously received instruction in Japan, led the sessions. This marked a major step toward self-sufficiency in disaster medical response. The project not only improved the knowledge and skills of medical professionals in disaster scenarios but also laid the foundation for Moldova to develop its own disaster medical system tailored to its unique needs. The initiative highlighted the importance of fostering local expertise to create a sustainable and resilient disaster response framework. Future efforts should focus on adapting the training program to Moldova’s specific disaster risks, incorporating lessons learned from actual disaster experiences, while maintaining cooperation with Japan to ensure ongoing support and development. This project exemplifies the value of international collaboration in building strong, locally-driven disaster response systems that can save lives in critical situations.