During the last 20 years, Romania has been making an impressive breakthrough in the sphere of health and well-being of its population. Life expectancy has also more than five years of increase with a life expectancy of 76.4 years in 2023 and the infant and maternal mortality rate has also dropped tremendously. These gains indicate the long-term initiatives of the Romanian government to enhance healthcare delivery and population health policies.
It is based on this development that the Government has led the way through the adoption of a long term and holistic reform agenda. The core of this change is the National Health Strategy 2023-2030, which is a strategic vision that would establish a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient health system that would be able to handle the present issues as well as the future hazards.
Enhancing Financial Sustainability and Stability of Workforce
Romania has made a bold move that has seen to it that the healthcare system in the country is sustainable in the long run. The government has undertaken a thorough review of health spending in 2023, which guided the 2024 budget proposal and proposed other measures to simplify public spending. Romania is strengthening the financial base of the health sector by slowly eliminating contribution exemption on selected workers and broadening the contributor base of the National Health Insurance Fund.
Government has realized the paramount role of retaining medical professionals and therefore, it has raised salaries of healthcare workers in the government hospital sector significantly. This bold move has been successful in making sure that emigration of the workforce is curtailed and also in ensuring that Romania is determined to appreciate and assist health professionals.
Simultaneously, the government has given a focus on quality and patient-centred care, via the National Authority of Quality Management in Healthcare. The improved systems of patient engagement and quality monitoring prove the obvious will to improve the quality of care on the national level.
Efficiency, Integrity, and Good Governance
Romania has demonstrated the willingness to address the issues of inefficiencies and encourage transparency in the healthcare system. The real steps, such as the raising salaries of doctors, the introduction of the patient feedback system in hospitals of the state, the enhancement of awareness of medical workers and customers, and integrity-related training, demonstrate the great commitment of the Government to the war on corruption and informal payments.
Through the introduction of the actions of the national anti-corruption strategy into the health sector and the increased institutional capacity and political dedication on the highest level, it is possible to note the willingness of Romania to promote accountability and trust.
Further, the government is also actively engaged in streamlining service delivery through encouraging value-based prescribing, reducing unnecessary hospitalization and devising health technology appraisal to make sure that the benefits provided to the populace are in tandem with best practices and innovations.
Focusing on Primary Care, Prevention and Digital Transformation
A major aspect of the reform agenda of Romania is the transition to stronger primary and community-based care. Romania is creating a more people-centred and efficient system by re-balancing health spending and moving the resources towards outpatient care, day care, and long-term care.
The government has equally stepped up on preventive and early detection. The efforts like pilot population-based screening programmes, creation of a national cancer registry, use of mobile caravans and health mediators are increasing access to underserved populations. These interventions demonstrate a great sense of equity and proactive healthcare.
Moreover, Romania is also improving crisis preparedness by learning the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. The desire to be proactive in resiliency to health and natural disasters is seen in investments in emergency coordination, the laboratory infrastructure, and the adoption of the National Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction 2023-2035.
Another strategic aspect in which Romania is advancing digitally is in digital transformation. The National Digital Health Strategy aims to interconnect health data systems, enhance interoperability, enhance telemedicine, and create a National Agency of Digital Health. These programs make Romania the leader in the new healthcare governance in the region.
Supporting in the Rural Areas
The Romanian Government has also made positive initiatives to accessibility of health care services in the country. Authorities are enhancing long-term planning and retention of workforce through Multi-Annual Health Workforce Development Strategy 2022-2030.
Community nursing expansion, advocacy of task sharing models, as well as facilitating health care practitioners in rural settings by providing housing and educational opportunities is a definite sign of a resolve to curb regional inequity. Telemedicine, which was initially increased in the pandemic, is further expanded to improve access to remote and underserved groups.
A Clear Vision for the Future
Things are getting better, but still, Romania still has a long way to go, but the recent changes in the country reflect the proactive, strategic, and determined government that intends to provide the citizens with concrete changes. Since it is economically viable and able to retain its workforce, preventive, digital, and resilient to a crisis, Romania is establishing the base of a high-performing and equitable as well as modern healthcare system.
The reform path of the country is not only receptive to the modern requirements, but also innovative to the future-focused agenda, which is concerned with novelty, accountability, and health and dignity of all Romanian citizens.
Owner and Patron-In-Chief of “The Gulf Observer”, Chairman “The Gulf Observer Research Forum”, Foreign Affairs Expert, Analyst, Writer and Poet.
