CURRENT ASPECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the health status of workers in the Republic of Moldova by analyzing the results of medical surveillance and exposure to occupational risk factors.

Materials and methods. A retrospective socio-hygienic study was conducted using aggregated statistical data on occupational health surveillance in the Republic of Moldova during 2023–2025. Data sources included statistical form No. 18-săn, data from the National Bureau of Statistics, and information on monitoring occupational risk factors. The analysis included absolute values, relative proportions (%), rates, and dynamic indicators.

Results. In 2025, 10,171 workers underwent pre-employment medical examinations, of whom 99.2% were declared fit for work. Periodic medical examinations covered 76,699 persons, representing 9.9% of the employed population, and 98.2% of those examined were declared fit for work. No occupational disease was reported during periodic medical examinations in 2025. Of 8,420 facilities and 44,719 workplaces investigated for occupational factors, 462 facilities (5.4%) and 3,371 workplaces (7.5%) were found non-compliant.

Conclusions. The findings indicate limited coverage of the employed population by periodic medical examinations and persistent non-compliance related to occupational risk factors. The discrepancy between general morbidity and the very low number of reported occupational diseases may suggest underdiagnosis and/or underreporting of occupational pathology and supports the need to strengthen the occupational health surveillance system.