Alexandru Rogobete announces a national program to reduce hospital-acquired infections

Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete has announced the launch, within the next two to three weeks, of a program dedicated to reducing healthcare-associated infections, commonly known as hospital-acquired infections. The project will be submitted for public consultation and will provide direct funding to healthcare facilities.

According to the minister, the program will cover the purchase of disinfectants, sterilization equipment and protective equipment for medical staff, as well as for visitors entering hospitals. The aim is to reduce and control infections in healthcare facilities.

Rogobete said the project was developed following discussions with professional organizations and Romanian specialists working abroad, whose intervention models were adopted. He said the new program would operate similarly to funding already provided to intensive care, trauma or stroke treatment units.

The minister also referred to measures adopted following last year’s incident at Floreasca Hospital, where the Burn Center was closed and is undergoing rehabilitation. He estimates that the work could be completed in the spring. Legislative changes include making it mandatory for medical staff to take courses on the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections once every two years.

Rogobete also said that the National Registry of Hospital-Acquired Infections, tested at “Grigore Alexandrescu” Children’s Hospital, is to be expanded. At the end, the minister criticized USR and Ilie Bolojan, accusing them of having come to power by exploiting the tragedy at Colectiv and the issue of hospital-acquired infections.