Ambulance services in 17 counties no longer have funds for September expenses / Union leader: “Ambulance services are going through a critical period”

Seventeen county ambulance services no longer have sufficient funding for material expenses in September, according to the National Ambulance Trade Union Federation. The situation affects fuel, medicines, medical supplies and the repairs needed to maintain operations, while unionists are calling for an urgent budget revision.

Problems have been reported in counties including Argeș, Bacău, Bistrița-Năsăud, Brașov, Brăila, Caraș-Severin, Călărași, Galați, Hunedoara, Ialomița, Teleorman, Timiș and Tulcea, as well as in other areas. Federation President Gheorghe Chiș says that the reduced 2026 budget has forced managers to transfer funds between quarters in order to maintain operations.

The Ministry of Health is trying to temporarily cover the bills from a reserve fund intended for critical situations. Salaries are secured through November, but December remains uncovered, while for material expenses the unionists have requested an increase in the budget of approximately 90,000–100,000 lei.

The Federation warns that the lack of a budget revision for the fourth quarter could lead to a reduction in operations, especially during the winter. In the event of a shutdown, ambulances would prioritize zero-degree emergencies, while some patient transfers and transports might no longer be carried out.