Romanian Fmr Health Min: Reforms Should Go Hand In Hand With Ensuring Financial Support

The former minister said the 4.2 billion lei (EUR990 million) he asked for at this year's first budget revision were meant for free and discounted medicine, healthcare programs and the modernization of eight maternity hospitals.

Cseke told MEDIAFAX Friday he was confident the ministry would receive extra funds at this year's budget revision, considering the measures he took to reform the healthcare sector.

"The reform I started has been appreciated, but at the budget revision the Health Ministry received no money, while the RON300 million it was allotted were meant for the National Health Insurance House. We needed the RON4.2 billion for free and discounted medicines, national healthcare programs, to finance hospitals following classification, buy 200 new ambulances and modernize eight maternity hospitals," said the former minister.

He added that, of the sum he asked for, RON2.3 billion were to be used for free and discounted medicine, RON1.2 billion for national healthcare programs, RON500 million to finance hospitals following a classification program, RON100 million to buy 200 new ambulances and RON100 million to rehabilitate maternity hospitals in Suceava, Piatra Neamt, Galati, Oradea, Miercurea-Ciuc, Ploiesti, Onesti and Targu Mures (a project co-financed by the European Investment Bank and the World Bank).

Cseke said he was told he would receive the funds he demanded at the next budget revision scheduled for October.

On July 13, Cseke told MEDIAFAX the Health Ministry needed extra RON4 billion. He said the National Health Insurance House faced the most serious financial problems and needed three quarters of the sum the ministry would ask for.

Cseke said at that time the ministry's budget needed extra RON960 million (or 25% of the sum demanded), of which RON100 million were for investments and the remainder to ensure free and discounted medicine within national healthcare programs.

The budget revision allotted only RON341 million to the Health Insurance House, through the ministry, to pay arrears and RON1.7 billion in commitment appropriations for free and discounted medicine.

Cseke presented his letter of resignation Thursday, after talks with Prime Minister Emil Boc, displeased with the funds the ministry has been allotted at this year's first budget revision.

The former minister said he was not asked for a standpoint regarding the budget revision, and added he has had several disputes with Finance Ministry representatives during his term as minister. He said he received the draft revised budget Wednesday afternoon.

The Finance Ministry shouldn't take decisions regarding the budget of the Health Ministry without input from the latter, said Cseke after he announced his resignation.

The minister highlighted that, last week, he called for talks between the representatives of the National Health Insurance House, the Health and Finance ministries on the budget revision, and added discussions never took place.

The Government said Thursday, Cseke will continue to stay in office for 15 more days and, meanwhile, the prime minister will send a proposition for health minister to President Traian Basescu.

(EUR1=RON4.2419)

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