Romanian healthcare system on the verge of a collapse?

2010-08-24

The Romanian healthcare system is close to a collapse because of a cut in public financing and mass emigration of doctors, according to the BBC. Romanian public spending on health this year represents 3.6% of the GDP, the lowest figure in the EU. The government has worked to reduce healthcare spending amidst the economic crisis. Romanian hospitals complain about a lack of funding to maintain operations and many are indebt to suppliers.

In 2010 Romania's government allocated RON 19.9bn (€4.7bn) to healthcare, an amount sufficient only for seven months. Private spending on healthcare amounts to €430m per year; with the lowest per capita spending in the EU states.