Romania's Health Minister Attila Cseke Resigns

Cseke told a news conference that 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 minister added he held talks with Prime Minister Emil Boc on Thursday and presented his letter of resignation.

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.

On July 13, Cseke told MEDIAFAX the Health Ministry needs extra 4 billion lei (about EUR948 million). He said the National Health Insurance House faces the most serious financial problems and needs three quarters of the sum the ministry will ask for.

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 medicine with or without a personal contribution.

(EUR1=RON4.2236)

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