Healthcare in Romania

Romania has a system where everyone can get medical help when they need it. The government pays for hospitals, doctors, and other health services so that people do not have to worry about costs when they are sick. This system is called universal healthcare, and it means that all people living in Romania can get the care they need.

The government also works on public health projects, like teaching people how to stay healthy and safe. A special group called the Ministry of Health makes sure that hospitals and clinics follow good rules and give good care to everyone.

In 2013, Romania spent about US$2.6 billion on healthcare. This money helps pay for doctors, medicines, and hospitals across the country. Every person in Romania has the right to get medical help when they need it, as written in the country’s constitution. This means that no one will be turned away because they cannot pay.

History of the Romanian health system

The first ideas about public healthcare in Romania began around 1700. Back then, foreign doctors were often brought in to care for wealthy people, while charity hospitals run by kind-hearted people offered free care to peasants.

The Romanian Red Cross started on July 4, 1876, and it remains an important group helping people across the country.

Romania has a long history of caring for people who are sick. One of the oldest hospitals, Colțea Hospital in Bucharest, was built between 1701 and 1703. Pantelimon Hospital, established in 1733, still operates today. St. Spiridon Hospital in Iași, opened in 1755, is one of the largest in the country. Other important hospitals include Filantropia Hospital, built between 1806 and 1812, and Brâncovenesc Hospital, which opened in 1838 and offered free medical care until it was demolished in 1984.

Vaccines have been used in Romania since the 1700s. Today, it is required that all children receive vaccines for diseases like hepatitis B, tuberculosis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubella, and diphtheria. These vaccines are free and given at approved pediatric clinics. Optional vaccines, like the flu shot, are also available for free every two years.

Romania has become very successful in performing operations to transplant organs, such as kidneys and livers, and has been a leader in this area in recent years.

Since 2007, when Romania joined the European Union, the number of private hospitals has grown. These hospitals often have modern equipment and try to make things easier for patients. However, some people worry that private hospitals may not have enough specialists for very serious emergencies and may need to send patients to public hospitals instead.

In 2011, there was a plan to change the healthcare system by making hospitals private and changing how health insurance worked. This plan caused a lot of debate and protests, and it was later withdrawn. Another plan in 2012 suggested keeping hospitals public but making other changes. Starting in 2019, people with health insurance were allowed to pay extra for certain medical services from private providers.

Romanian doctors

In the early 1700s, wealthy families in Romania sent their children to study medicine in cities like Vienna or Paris. After finishing their studies, these students returned to Romania to become doctors and teach others. This practice stopped when the first medical school in Romania opened.

In the 1800s, a serious disease called cholera spread widely, making more doctors necessary. Sadly, many doctors became sick and unable to help while caring for others.

When Alexandru I.C. rose to leadership, doctors began working for the government. They were paid little by the state but often asked patients for additional fees.

During the early First World War, Romania needed more doctors for its soldiers. The situation became so difficult that even the Queen of Romania helped by working as a nurse on the front lines.

After World War I, enough doctors were available to care for people in cities and some support for those living in the countryside. Being a doctor was respected and well-paid.

In 1947, after big political changes, many young people were encouraged to study medicine because being a doctor brought important benefits and respect in society.

Facilities and equipment

As of 2013, Romania had 425 hospitals, which means there was about one hospital for every 43,000 people. Each hospital should have basic rooms for emergencies and places for surgeries. For every 1,000 people, there were 6.2 hospital beds. In 2011, a check by the Health Ministry found that 58% of hospitals were in the weaker groups, with less advanced equipment and services. In Bucharest, only 19 hospitals were in the top group, having all types of medical care, emergency services, and the best equipment.

Outside Bucharest, the best hospitals are in Cluj-Napoca (four), Iaşi and Timișoara (two each), Constanța and Târgu Mureș (one each). Romania uses around 2,600 ambulances and plans to get 1,250 more. There is also a special emergency team called SMURD that helps in big emergencies and can be called by dialing 112. Romania has 32 airplanes ready for medical emergencies, including those used by Internal Affairs and SMURD.

The country is building three big new hospitals in Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, and Craiova to give better medical care. This project will take four years and cost about €1.6 billion. The government got €930 million and help from the European Investment Bank for this work.

Quality of healthcare

In big cities, hospitals usually have good equipment and can even offer private care that is very modern. However, in smaller towns and the countryside, healthcare can be weaker, and sometimes patients need to bring their own basic items like gloves or syringes for treatment.

Drugs and prescription medicines

In Romania, everyone can get help paying for medicines if they contribute to CNAS. Almost any medicine can be bought with a discount if you have a prescription from a doctor. The discount is applied when you pay, and pharmacies get their money back from the Ministry of Health.

Some medicines are given out for free, especially for serious long-term illnesses. Teenagers or people with low incomes can also get certain items, like birth control, for free. Starting in July 2012, all prescriptions must be given in a digital format.

Issues and challenges

Romania spends less on healthcare than any other country in the European Union. In 2012, it spent about €358 for each person on healthcare.

The healthcare system in Romania faces challenges because many doctors and nurses have moved to work in countries like Germany, the UK, Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland, and Italy. This happened because wages in Romania are low, and working conditions in Western Europe are better. As a result, Romania has fewer nurses and midwives than other European countries.

Patients in Romania often pay extra money for healthcare, which is higher than the average in Europe. Sometimes, people have needed to pay doctors directly to get better care. Additionally, some hospitals lack basic supplies, meaning patients sometimes have to bring their own items for certain treatments.

Medical universities and faculties

Here is a list of universities where you can study medicine or pharmacy in Romania. Some of these schools are public, while others are private.

• Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Bucharest (1857)
• Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iași (1879)
• Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca (1919)
• University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mureș (1945)
• Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timișoara (1944)
• University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova (1970)
• Ovidius University of Constanța – Faculty of Medicine (1990)
• Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu – Faculty of Medicine (1990)
• Vasile Goldiș West University of Arad – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (1991)
• University of Oradea – Faculty of Medicine (1991)
• Transilvania University of Brașov – Faculty of Medicine (1995)
• "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galați, Galați – Faculty of Medicine (1990)

Telemedicine

Romania is a leader in Europe for telemedicine. The country has a special network that helps doctors give care from far away. There are two main centers, one at Floreasca Hospital in Bucharest and another at the Clinical Emergency Hospital in Târgu Mureș. These centers work with 56 hospitals across 19 counties. Doctors at these centers can help other hospitals right away and watch patients' important health signs.