Romania emergency medical services pressure

Romania’s emergency medical services are experiencing significant operational strain due to high patient volumes and financial shortages.

Emergency departments are facing heavy pressure, with approximately one in four citizens visiting these units annually. Medical professionals report that many patients seek emergency care for non-urgent issues to gain rapid access to consultations. In some instances, specialists are managing between 40 and 50 patients during a single 24-hour shift.

Compounding these volume issues, ambulance services in 17 counties are facing a funding crisis. While salaries are secured through November, there is a lack of budget for material costs such as fuel, repairs, and medicines. The National Ambulance Union Federation has requested a budget increase of approximately 90-100 million lei.

The financial crisis has intensified, with a reported deficit of approximately 98 million lei. Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila stated that the Ministry is attempting to cover this gap by reallocating funds from other internal programs, including HIV-AIDS and transfusion security, to address urgent needs for ambulance services and emergency units (UPU).

Labor unions have called for an immediate budget rectification for the fourth quarter to prevent a total breakdown. Former Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete has urged Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to utilize the Government's reserve fund, warning that many emergency units may only have supplies remaining until the end of the month. He noted that critical programs, including intensive care and cardiac surgery at the C.C. Iliescu Institute, are at risk due to the funding imbalance.