Alexandru Rogobete, the Minister of Health, announced on Monday evening that the incomes of employees in hospitals, ambulance services and emergency units will not be reduced by 10%, thus rejecting the scenario of a salary cut which, he says, would have generated demotivation and a new wave of departures from the system.
In a message posted on Facebook, Monday evening, Alexandru Rogobete emphasized that a linear decrease in income would not have brought real savings, but would have seriously affected the operation of an already overburdened field.
“Income for hospital and ambulance and emergency services staff will not be cut by 10%. I supported this position because a linear cut would not have brought real savings, but would have produced serious negative effects in an already overstretched system. In health, every link is essential. From doctor, pharmacist, nurse, biologist, chemists, physiotherapists, to technical and administrative staff – all support the day-to-day running of the system”the minister said.
“Health care needs deep reform. I know there are problems”
Alexandru Rogobete explained that such a measure would have led not only to a decrease in confidence and motivation, but also to the loss of professionals in a system that is already facing a staff shortage.
“A gross and linear reduction in income would have meant not only demotivation and a decrease in confidence, but also a new exodus of them from the system. Lower income for people means fewer resources for hospitals, treatments and investments. We cannot strengthen health by weakening people. At the same time, I say just as clearly: health needs deep reform. I know there are structural problems that have been ignored for years. Imbalances, mismatches, waste, lack of clear criteria. These are precisely the things we are correcting now.” the official also said.
The Minister of Health also explained what, in his opinion, the correct reform means: real performance criteria correlated with the activity and complexity of the cases; reorganization of the guard system; reclassification of hospitals; reducing wastage and total transparency in spending funds.
“Savings are made from efficiency and order, not from uniformly applied cuts. To the medical staff: I have confidence in your professionalism and dedication. The reform we are building is to give you a fairer, more predictable and more balanced system. Not against you, but with you“, the minister also wrote.
“I fight for a more stable, dignified and secure system”
Alexandru Rogobete explained what these promises mean for patients and the health system:
“To patients: every decision I make has only one ultimate criterion – your good. I fight for a more stable, dignified and safe system, where you don’t feel like you’re in the way when you need help. For the health system, my message is clear: we’re re-founding it on principles of accountability, performance and respect. We’re strengthening it through real reform, not accounting measures.”
