Cseke said that 63% of the country’s hospitals have been transferred to local authorities so far, adding the decentralization process was completed in eight counties.
According to the minister, authorities will analyze the situation in each county to see how many hospitals have been taken over by local authorities. He stressed that those healthcare units which prove to be of no interest to local authorities might be closed down.
Cseke highlighted that no medical staff will be laid off this year, as the country is currently faced with a deficit of doctors and medical assistants, adding only the administrative staff in the sector will be reorganized, considering some healthcare units have as many as 25 accountants.
The minister also said the Government will likely do a budget revision in August, allotting EUR170 million to pay the debts of hospitals. The minister assured Sibiu county councilors, called in Friday to approve the takeover of the county’s hospitals by the local authorities, that the Government and Health Ministry would pay the hospitals’ debts within 90 days, the legal limit.