Oana Gheorghiu faces questioning over pediatric disability care in Romania

During parliamentary hearings for the proposed Sigfried Mureșan government, Deputy Elena Laura Toader challenged Oana Gheorghiu, the nominee for Minister of Health, regarding the treatment of children with disabilities in Romania.

Toader, a mother of a child with disabilities, shared her personal struggle with the healthcare system, stating that her child spent ten years being moved between hospitals without a diagnosis, which was eventually obtained in a foreign country. She also recounted a medical emergency at Obregia Hospital where she alleged a doctor refused necessary care, leading to her child falling into a coma.

Gheorghiu, a co-founder of the NGO ‘Dăruiește Viață’, acknowledged that the current healthcare system is not adequately prepared to handle these issues. However, she stated that she cannot promise immediate changes, noting that the system cannot be transformed overnight. She emphasized the importance of partnering with experienced NGOs to support children with disabilities.