Patient associations fear that Cseke Atilla announced the priority measures for his interim at the Ministry of Health in vain, because he will not have time to put them into practice. He didn’t even hold the position well, that PSD and AUR announced that they will submit a motion of censure against the Bolojan Government. Patients report unpredictability and lack of continuity at this key ministry. Since the Revolution, Romania has had over 30 Ministers of Health.
What directions did Cseke Atilla, the interim Minister of Health, announce as a priority?
On the first day of his interim mandate at the head of the Ministry of Health, Cseke Atilla announced three priority directions:
- Health investments, especially those financed by PNRR: “Each project will be analyzed together with specialists from the ministry, so that important steps are taken and European funds remain in the country.”
- Analysis and acceleration of normative acts already on the interministerial approval circuit
- Salary of medical personnel based on performance criteria in the new draft law on unitary salary: “The idea is simple and fair – those who work harder, who save lives, who operate more and achieve results, must be paid better. If the interim period allows, this approach will be supported”.
Cseke Atilla has been Minister of Health twice: once full minister (between December 2009 and August 2011) and once interim (between September and November 2021).
“The major problem is that we do not have a continuity and a policy that allows for reformation”
The measures proposed now seem like a continuation of Alexandru Rogobete’s mandate, but patient associations fear that they will no longer be put into practice. Not because of the new minister’s lack of will, but because of political instability. Not only did Alexandru Rogobete, the previous minister, resign after the PSD pulled out of government, but now the same party has filed a no-confidence motion, along with the AUR, which could lead to an extremely short term for Cseke Atiila.
“The major problem is that we don’t have a continuity and a policy that allows for reform, the development of health strategies, that actually benefit the patient, the system and – of course – the medical staff. Mr. Rogobete had initiated some reform projects, they all remained in the air. Not to mention the negotiation with Pfizer. If something is going to hurt our pocket very much, it is the negotiation with the Pfizer company. we know who will come, when they will come and if they will want to continue on the same line or another,” says Rozalina Lăpădatu, president of the Association of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases.
He is of the opinion that, no matter who will be full Minister of Health, two directions must be followed:
“I think it is important to continue the investments from the PNRR and to solve the problem of the guards of the medical staff, especially of the residents.”
Radu Gănescu (COPAC): “Multiple risks may arise for patients”
In addition to investments in hospitals, Radu Gănescu, the president of COPAC (Coalition of Organizations of Patients with Chronic Diseases), believes that another important point must be taken forward, regardless of who will eventually form the Government:
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“Digitization projects — such as medical data interoperability and simplifying patient access to services — are essential to streamlining the system and reducing red tape.”
Radu Gănescu also talks about several risks of “political turbulence”:
“The administrative changes that may follow risk generating delays in the decision-making process and in the implementation of the measures necessary for the efficient functioning of the health system. These problems are superimposed on an already limited funding, which can lead both to the postponement of important reforms in the field of health, and to the risk of losing some European funding intended for the development and modernization of the medical infrastructure”.
It also adds issues related to other sectors, but which could strongly affect patients:
“In this period marked by economic and energy instability, multiple risks may arise for the health system and for patients. Among the main challenges are the difficulties regarding access to certain medicines, as well as the possibility of critical situations in the supply chains of essential medical products”.
Marinela Debu (APAH-RO): “Patients must not be affected by political changes”
Marinela Debu, president of the Association of Patients with Liver Diseases (APAH-RO), also has fears. But he hopes that, no matter how long Cseke Atilla’s term lasts, the patients will be listened to:
“We are aware that it is a very complicated period for us and we have always been afraid of changes. In addition, what we want from the interim minister is to ensure a good collaboration with the patient associations, to listen to our voice, as happened with Mr. Rogobete.”
At the same time, she says that she also wants continuity of good projects, regardless of who will be full Minister of Health:
“We should not be affected by these political changes. For us, the most important policy is health. We are interested in having access to quality services, that our rights as patients are respected, that we do not find ourselves having to look for where to do analyzes and where to get the necessary medicines.”
For his part, Radu Gănescu adds:
“Health needs a transpolitical pact, based on stability, dialogue and responsible decisions. Patients must benefit from continuity and access to medical services and treatments, regardless of the political context or administrative changes”.
The censure motion initiated by the PSD together with the AUR was submitted, after the two parties managed to collect the necessary signatures. The assembled permanent offices of the Parliament decided that on Tuesday, May 5, at 11:00, the debate and vote will take place.
