Romania Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete announces healthcare reforms

Romanian Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete has announced several initiatives aimed at improving the national healthcare system. He intends to accelerate administrative procedures to expand the list of subsidized medications, with the goal of introducing new treatments by the end of 2026.

To address medical staffing and burnout, Rogobete proposed a new compensation model for physician on-call shifts. The proposal includes calculating on-call fees based on 2026 salary levels rather than 2018 rates and implementing a progressive payment mechanism that provides bonuses for doctors performing multiple shifts per month. He also expressed intent to ensure medical residents receive payment for their on-call duties.

Additionally, the Minister requested that hospital managers and ambulance services provide detailed evaluations of their financial and human resource needs for the remainder of the year. He also announced a forthcoming program focused on reducing nosocomial infections (hospital-acquired infections) through direct funding for disinfectants, sterilization equipment, and protective gear.