Sector 4 of the Municipality of Bucharest continues to invest massively in the development of the capital's medical infrastructure, using non-reimbursable European funds accessed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Using the expertise and support of the specialists of the “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumophthisiology, the local authority started today, 10.04.2024, the construction works of the newest medical complex intended for the diagnosis, treatment and research of tuberculosis.
The new specialty center, which will operate under the “Marius Nasta” Pneumophthisiology Institute, will be built in Calea Șerban Vodă no. 189. At the end of the works that have just begun, the institution will become a landmark, a model hospital structure that will meet all the European requirements in the matter and will thus cover a pressing need and a public health emergency, given that, in this currently, Romania is the European Union country with the highest incidence of TB (4 times higher than the EU average) and with a mortality rate 6.5 times higher than the European Union average (5.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants ).
“I never forget that I am a doctor. Increasing the quality of medical services, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, has become a priority for Romania. That is why the PNRR appeared, a chance for the development of Romania, in general, for Bucharest in particular, because a lot of people come here to be treated.
As a result of these priorities, I feel extremely honored to join the initiative initiated by the Ministry of Health and the “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumophthisiology, together with the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy to realize together, in partnership, this new hospital with 115 beds. It is not the only approach of this nature, because, as I said before, we are working on a maternity hospital, extremely important for everything that means Bucharest, and not only that, we are starting the Dental Hospital, but, at the same time, we have also created a ambulance and fire station, and in the course of the next year we will have ready, in the immediate vicinity of this hospital, another fire station and ambulance.
So, it is an obligation of the state authorities, whoever they are, to the citizens, to do everything humanly possible to create a quality medical infrastructure. I want to thank the trust given by the colleagues at the institute, I want to thank, once again, the Minister of Health, for the efforts made and I am convinced that this team, together, cannot disappoint“, said Daniel Băluță, the mayor of Sector 4.
Daniel Băluță, the mayor of Sector 4
The new medical facility will be built from scratch, on the land where the 130-year-old “Zerlendi” buildings of the “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pneumophysiology existed, in an advanced state of decay, incompatible in all respects with the practice of a quality medical act. The deplorable state in which these spaces, built in 1894, are located was, moreover, the reason why they were completely closed in 2020.
Starting today, for a maximum of three months, the buildings will be decommissioned, so that later, in their place, the builder will start work on the new hospital.
Present at the event, Dr. Beatrice Mahler, the manager of the Marius Nasta Institute, declared herself emotional about the start of the construction of this hospital: “We are at an important moment today. Better said at a necessary moment, because the important moment will be announced in 2 years, me, or who will be in my place! A necessary moment for patients who are sick with tuberculosis or other lung diseases. A necessary moment to offer patients adequate routes, safe conditions, a necessary moment for the medical staff who must feel appreciated and valued, including through the working conditions in which they carry out their activity. I thank everyone who is with this project, so that Zerlendi becomes the first hospital built with European funds, and I hope that in 2 years we will be right in front of an important moment!“.
The construction from scratch of the Tuberculosis Diagnostic, Treatment and Research Center will be fully financed by PNRR, and its construction will cost approximately 72 million euros. The new pneumophthisiology hospital will have a capacity of 115 beds, including 19 intensive care beds, three operating rooms and research and analysis laboratories. In addition, the new hospital will also benefit from the following functions:
Operator block with 3 operating rooms
Central sterilization station
Medical analysis laboratory
Research laboratory
Pathological anatomy laboratory
ambulatory
Imaging and Radiodiagnosis – ultrasound, CT, standard X-ray machine.
CPU-S specialist urgent reception department.
The opportunity to implement this project was also noted by Prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Health.
“I am optimistic about the evolution of tuberculosis in Romania. Of course, tuberculosis remains a public health problem, we have a national strategy, approved by the Government of Romania. We can develop together with important institutions, such as the “Marius Nasta” Institute, centers of excellence, and we can address pathologies that appear especially now, post-pandemic. The integration of financial resources from PNRR is important. I believe and hope, given the partnership and experience of the District 4 City Hall, of Mayor Băluță, regarding the construction of medical units and, in general, the construction investments that he has carried out and completed a good part of them, that this hospital will be ready in two years. I think a responsible approach, without a lot of praise and propaganda, but with consistent work, as the City Hall of Sector 4 has been doing for several years. It is the right answer that we need to expand throughout the country!“, said the official.
