How do we stop the poverty in Romanian hospitals?

Private health insurance is establishing itself as a reliable, as well as unique alternative to the public system that is still primitive and not reformed.

The public healthcare system in Romania is one of the poorest in Europe and this is not only proven by the recent tragedies, but by even more studies of specialized bodies. This is also one of the conclusions drawn by the specialists attending the International Healthcare Forum, where private insurance was classified as vital for Romania, at least until the public system is reformed. Private policies also have a significant development potential in the context in which, according to a study performed by the European Commission, most Romanians (60%) would choose to be treated abroad if possible. Even the president of our country, Traian Băsescu, opted to be treated in Austria, despite the fact that the intervention he was subject to could also be performed in Romania.

"It is increasingly obvious that the public health insurance system does not work in order to provide the minimum normal services for most persons who require them. Last year alone there were intensely publicized cases where the public health system has encountered serious errors in operation, with tragic outcomes for the patients", declared Radu Mustatea, president of the Astra Asigurari directorate. The authorities will also play a role to this extent.” The most important task of the ministry of health will be the liberalization of the public hospital system for private insurers and for doctors… The legal health insurer must provide basic healthcare services for the population, in accordance to the principles thereof. Moreover, the legal insurer is bound to also accept the services of private hospitals and clinics, similar to the services of state hospitals or of hospitals funded by public money", declared Angelo Haplea, managing partner of the TPSH broker, partner of the Axa giant.

Full services in Germany and Austria

Moreover, Astra Asigurari provides a unique policy in Romania that allows its holders to be treated in hundreds of locations in countries such as Germany and Austria and it also provides the option for the patient to choose its own doctor, irrespective of whether the latter is Romanian, German or American.

"Health insurance provided by the products of specialized companies is definitely the product that will increase the quality standards of medical care services. Insurers are prepared for this change”, believes Radu Mustatea. The policy is the result of a partnership with the TPSH German broker, it is based on ethical grounds and it offers a series of significant advantages to the holder. Astra Sante covers all risks, irrespective of the nature of the illness; it allows the automated insurance of new-borns and the holder benefits from the advice of a specialist in order to establish the treatment method. Another unique feature is the fact that persons who already suffer from chronic illness can also benefit from the Sante insurance. The price of such a policy is often comparable with that of treatment carried out in Romania.

The public system is seriously diseased

The public healthcare systems in Romania and Bulgaria are the poorest in Europe, as the two countries face numerous problems from the lack of basic drugs and medical equipment to corruption. In a recently published report, the European Commission indicates a more than worrying statistic. "Two thirds of Romanians have offered bribes to medical staff and 81% believe such payments were extremely important in terms of how they were treated", indicates the document. The situation is extremely serious in terms of the ratio between doctors and nurses and the population of the country as well. In Romania, 19 doctors and 42 nurses cared for 10,000 inhabitants, while the Balkan average is 32 doctors and 79 nurses for every 10,000 inhabitants. This is yet another level where we come in last in the EU and this is one more argument for the liberalization of medical services.

Source: Romania Libera

Date: 06-10-2010