The Romanian Health-Care System in Crisis

Unhappy doctors, health-care staff leaving the country, improper medical care in hospitals, exasperated patients: these are just a few of the characteristics of the Romanian health-care system.

Roxana Vasile, 11.11.2013, 13:00

“If we do not take care of our health and the health of our fellow citizens, then who should?” a physician was asking himself rhetorically. Along the years, all the politicians that have successively held the reigns of power have promised to improve the situation of the Romanian health-care system.

Even if some problems have been solved, new ones have appeared. Last week, the president of the National Health-Insurance Authority, Cristian Busoi, said the budget allocated to health for the year 2014 would be bigger than the amount earmarked this year. He also said that funding hospitals was an issue that required special attention. Because debts to suppliers have been mounting, the Health Ministry took the drastic measure of sacking three hospital managers.

Minister Eugen Nicolaescu: “These hospitals have accumulated debts, and this means that managers have not done their job properly and have actually blocked the activity of some companies. On the other hand, though, we are talking about only three hospitals out of a total of 340.”

Physicians’ Professional Association does not share the view of the ministry, as a proper analysis should go beyond accounting debts.

The President of the Association, Vasile Astarastoae: “To make sure they do not accumulate debts, managers have their patients buy their own medicine and medical care supplies, so the hospital may look efficient. However, the hospital does not deliver health-care services as such and put patients in a difficult situation.”

Moreover, the Physicians’ Association believes that the decision to fire the three managers was only meant to distract people from the real issue, namely that the system is under-funded. Trade unions are unhappy with the current situation, too, and they are getting ready for an all-out strike. Apparently, 70 thousand signatures have already been gathered. Among other things, they demand 6% of the GDP and 50% higher salaries for resident doctors. Prime Minister Victor Ponta has said that they might get a 150 Euro scholarship per month for the entire duration of their residentship. The amounts have been included in next year’s budget and will benefit over 14 thousand residents.

Victor Ponta: “I want things to be very clear. I don’t expect that residents’ life in Romania will suddenly turn great thanks to that 150 Euros. But there is a message I want to convey. I listened carefully what people in the field say, namely that the main problem of Romanian physicians is not money, but the lack of respect for what they do. So the fact that we will be able to give them some more money is first and foremost a sign of respect.”

We should note that a beginner resident physician in Romania earns around 200 Euros per month.