Page 48 - THE ROMANIAN HEALTH CARE
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The Romanian people have a low health status. The life expectancy at birth is among the
the EU. Romanians die mostly from cardiovascular diseases, compared to the EU
lowest in
population. Risk factors are a poor diet, high fat consumption, smoking, alcohol consumption
and little exercise.
The Romanian healthcare system performs poorly, it is not capable of generation more
favourable health outcomes for its people. An obvious reason is the relatively low
government budget for healthcare. Out of pocket expenses on medical goods and services are
relatively high, indicating a lower level of public sector services. Doctors emigrate often to
other EU countries. Healthcare services are relatively good in the urban areas, at the country
side the people are underserved.
Romanian medical education is good, scientific research and R&D are very basic. Romanian
medical students are among the best in the country due to a tough selection exam. Scientific
research is
hardly done at universities, mainly at institutes of the Romanian Academy of
Sciences. Funding for research is limited both from Romanian sources and international
sources. Research and Development is done at pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.
Three viable bio-medical research clusters exist. Cooperation between universities and
business is
limited.
Possibilities for cooperation at a governmental and institutional level are in the field of health
economics, health technology assessment, public health. Connecting Romanian scientific
research and R&D to EU partners.
Commercial opportunities are mainly in the sales of medicines and medical devices. Romania
relatively low domestic medicine production. A lot of medicines have to be imported.
has a
of
Consumption medicines is below that in European countries. The distribution of medicines
is the largest private healthcare sector. The private hospital sector is very dynamic and should
give opportunities, but operates on limited profitability. In the public sector the development
new hospitals is announced. The most concrete plan is for a regional hospital near Cluj-
of 3
Napoca.
Altogether the Romanian health sector offers commercial opportunities and possibilities for
cooperation. Good luck!
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