SMURD emergency service in Marosvásárhely faces critical funding shortage

The SMURD emergency medical service in Marosvásárhely, Romania, is facing a critical financial crisis, with its bank account balance reportedly at zero. Since July, the service has been operating using reserve funds and borrowing medical supplies and medications from the Maros County Emergency Clinical Hospital.

Spokesperson Mariana Negoiță warned that existing stocks of medicines and medical equipment are expected to be exhausted within a week. To maintain operations through October 31, the service requires 4.5 million lei, with a total of 7.5 million lei needed to cover costs until the end of the year.

Health Minister Attila Cseke has acknowledged a broader 98 million lei deficit within the healthcare system, noting that emergency departments and ambulance services are among the hardest hit. While the Ministry of Health is attempting to reallocate funds from other programs to provide temporary relief, officials emphasize that a formal budget supplement will be necessary to ensure sustained operations.