Alexandru Rogobete wants to increase the tariff for food provided to hospitalized patients, amid rising VAT, inflation, and energy costs

Minister of Health Alexandru Rogobete stated on Wednesday, at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, that the ministry is analyzing an increase in the allowance for food provided to patients hospitalized in hospitals. The decision is being considered amid rising VAT, inflation, and energy costs, which have increased pressure on the budgets of medical facilities.

Currently, the amount allocated for a patient’s food is 22 lei per day. Rogobete said that this rate is no longer sufficient and that he has already discussed with the prime minister the possibility of changing it. However, the minister did not specify what the new amount would be.

Rogobete explained that the amount should not be directly compared with restaurant prices, since hospitals purchase food centrally, usually for periods of one year, and the large volume allows them to obtain lower prices.

The statements come after controversies regarding the food provided to patients at the “Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children in Bucharest. The minister requested an assessment of the facility’s kitchen, as well as the purchase of the necessary equipment and consumables. He also asked the hospital manager to remedy the situation and encouraged patients and medical staff to send images whenever conditions are inadequate.