Alexandru Rogobete says the healthcare sector needs 11.5 billion lei to pay outstanding bills and close out the year

The healthcare sector needs approximately 11.5 billion lei to pay outstanding bills and close out the year, Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete said Wednesday evening on Antena 3. Of the total, the Ministry of Health is requesting 1.2 billion lei, while the rest of the funds would be allocated to the National Health Insurance House.

The minister said there have been unpaid bills owed to suppliers since July, particularly in the area managed by the National Health Insurance House. Rogobete argued that the situation is affecting national health programs, including those for oncology, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The statements came in the context of Horațiu Moldovan’s resignation as head of the National Health Insurance House. Rogobete criticized the institution’s former president and announced that he would order an audit at the Health Insurance House, amid a crisis he described as unprecedented in the past decade.

The minister said he hoped the budget rectification would be carried out next week. If funding for emergency departments is delayed by more than one or two weeks, he announced that he would request money from the Government’s Reserve Fund. Meanwhile, the Ministry has asked emergency departments to submit their urgent requirements for medicines and critical supplies.