Romanian health system is in crisis as doctors leave for better working life

Thousands of doctors have left Romania in recent years, triggering a healthcare crisis that will worsen unless the government takes action to improve conditions for remaining doctors, says Vasile Astarastoae, head of the Romanian College of Physicians.

In an interview with the BMJ Astarastoae said that in 2013 the number of public hospital doctors fell to about 14 500, down from about 20 000 in 2011.

“Romanian doctors are deciding to leave and work abroad to be able to do their jobs as they learnt, to be respected, and to earn more money,” he said. “In …