Bucharest’s emergency hospitals are running out of essential medicines and medical supplies amid a lack of funding

Emergency hospitals in Bucharest are facing a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies in September, caused by a lack of funding. The situation is particularly affecting the emergency departments at Bagdasar-Arseni, Pantelimon and Floreasca, while the problems could extend to the Marie Curie and Grigore Alexandrescu children’s hospitals.

At Bagdasar-Arseni Hospital, the contrast agent needed for examinations of polytrauma patients has reached zero stock. The hospital’s manager, Andi Nodiț, warns that the available reserves could cover requirements for only a few more days, depending on the number of patients. Other essential supplies are also running low: sterile gloves would last at most one week, infusion sets approximately eight days, and ECG paper around seven days.

Managers say the hospitals have not yet received the promised additional funding and warn that, starting next month, problems could arise, including with the payment of salaries. Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila confirms that ambulances and emergency departments do not have all their expenses covered through the end of the year. He says an urgent budget adjustment is needed, which can take place only after a government with full powers is installed.