Health Minister Alexandru Rafila states that the health care system in Romania has two speeds: on the one hand, there are doctors who come from home, in their free time, to save the sick, on the other hand, there are doctors who refuse to consult patients. Rafila says he will change this system as well as the decentralization done 14 years ago.

“We have a two-speed health care system. We have a health care system that offers sacrifice on the part of doctors, dedication. There were people who came from home, no one called them, to treat the sick. And we also have a part of the health care system where people on call do not see their patients as they should, out of obligation. We always discuss commitments. To be a doctor, you have not only an oath, but also a conscience and an obligation to fulfill your profession. The patient really should be the center of attention of the medical staff. It happens everywhere, and cases like those that happened in Urzicen and Botoşani create great disappointment and lack of trust in the health care system (…) It is clear that in Romania we have such a separation of health services,” he said Alexander Rafila, On Sunday evening on Digi 24.

The Minister of Health has criticized the College of Doctors for not getting involved after an incident in Botoshan where a pregnant woman did not receive medical care.

“After what happened in Botoshan, we met with all the institutions that have different responsibilities in the management of medical activities, especially with the College of Doctors, I hope that they will also come to these discussions, because if we do not change the way of control according to the quality of the provision of medical services”, said Rafila.

When asked when the healthcare system will change, Rafila explained that he has political support for it.

“We are changing it and there is political support from a legislative point of view. This decentralization, which was carried out 14 years ago and which led to health services in some cities or low-quality health services, such as in Urzichen and Botošan… is very obvious, and here the owner of the hospital is very important. It is clear to people that the Ministry of Health is responsible for the health of people in Romania, even if from a legal point of view the powers of the Ministry of Health have been neglected over time. We could only send a sanitary inspection and issue fines. I don’t think people expect fines (…) We need to introduce a mechanism that will interest patients, and we will no longer end up in a situation of denial of medical services,” said Rafila (news. ro)