Romanian PM OKs Hungarian Minority Party’s Health Minister Nomination

Boc highlighted that the new health minister will also coordinate the National Health Insurance House (CNAS), which will remain in charge of the healthcare budget.

Earlier Wednesday, UDMR vice-president Laszlo Borbely told MEDIAFAX Boc approved the Union’s proposition to appoint Ladislau Ritli health minister. He added the nomination will be sent to the head of state.

People close to the matter said Ritli will most likely be sworn in Wednesday evening at the Presidential Palace.

According to a press release issued by UDMR Wednesday, Ritli is the party’s official nomination for health minister. The ministry will also coordinate CNAS, which is a currently autonomous body, „in order to implement public policies in this field efficiently.”

UDMR says Ritli is one of the most renowned doctors in Oradea and has held several administrative positions over the past 30 years. He was born in Oradea in 1948 and graduated from the Timisoara Medical Faculty in 1973 at the top of his class.

Ritli was director of the Stei Territorial Hospital between 1978 and 1986, then inspector doctor with the Bihor Health Department until 1990, when he became deputy director of the Oradea Children’s Hospital. Between 1997 and 2009 he ran the Bihor County Public Health Department.

Ritli is a specialist in pediatric oncology and hematology, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in the University of Oradea. Since 2010, he is the medical director of the „Dr. Gavril Curteanu” City Hospital in Oradea.

MEDIAFAX reported on August 8 that Ritli might receive UDMR’s nomination for health minister, following the resignation of Attila Cseke. Ritli had been put forward by the UDMR branch in Bihor county.