Romanian Doctors May Not Reject Patients Over Ethnicity, Religion, Sexual Orientation

Doctors, dentists, nurses or midwives are required to accept a patient in emergencies, when the lack of medical care may threaten his health or life. After the patient is healed, or if the patient desires it, the doctor, nurse or midwife may terminate the relationship with the patient. A doctor may also terminate this relationship if the patient is referred to another doctor, providing all medical information requiring the attention of a more skilled doctor, or if the patient behaves with hostility or lack of respect to the doctor.

According to the bill, the doctor must notify the patient of the termination of their relationship with at least five days prior notice, to allow the patient to find an alternative, except when this would threaten the patient’s health.

The new healthcare bill was put up for public debate Wednesday on the Health Ministry’s website, www.ms.ro. Suggestions may be sent in for the next ten days, but the bill’s text will remain online until January 28, 2012.