Former Romanian health ministers warn of healthcare funding risks

Former Romanian Health Ministers Alexandru Rogobete and Alexandru Rafila have issued warnings regarding the stability and continuity of the national healthcare budget.

Rogobete emphasized that the healthcare budget is inherently volatile and difficult to predict due to the unpredictable nature of patient needs, such as emergency room visits and intensive care requirements. He noted that increased spending in oncology—rising from approximately 3.6 billion lei in 2020 to an estimated 10.3 billion lei for 2026—is a direct result of improved diagnostic capabilities, including more CT and MRI scans.

Rafila accused the interim government led by Ilie Bolojan of intentionally delaying the extension of funding for certain compensated medicines and treatments. He warned that critical resources, including 12 public radiotherapy centers, oncology monitoring programs, and over 100 innovative molecules introduced during his tenure, are at risk. Rafila highlighted that current national health program funding for 2026 only covers the first nine months of the year, creating an urgent need for the government and the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) to find solutions.