Romania emergency departments face high patient volumes

Emergency medical units in Romania are facing significant pressure, with data indicating that approximately 5 million people—roughly one in four citizens—visit emergency departments annually. Medical professionals note that many patients seek emergency care for non-urgent issues, such as fever or chronic pain, because it offers rapid access to consultations and investigations.

In a recent four-day period from September 11 to 14, 2026, one emergency unit treated 507 individuals. Of these, 65 were classified as critical cases and 334 as urgent, while 108 were non-urgent. Following medical evaluations, 154 patients required hospitalization for further treatment and investigation.

Doctors, including those at Bagdasar Arseni Hospital, report that the high volume of patients is exacerbated by hospital transfers and the need for specialists to manage between 40 and 50 patients during a single 24-hour shift.