9 May, 2016

Romanian health minister resigns, Romanian army honors two dead

Daniela Budu, 09.05.2016, 11:59

RESIGNATION – Romania’s Healthcare minister Patriciu Achimas-Cadariu has today submitted his resignation amid the scandal triggered by the diluted disinfectants used in hospitals. The health Ministry is continuing its investigation in this case and has started taking samples from all hospitals in Romania, as the head of the Romanian government Dacian Ciolos has asked. The substances will be tested in terms of concentration and efficacy. Some of the samples, which already proved unsatisfying and have been discovered in 50 hospitals, have been sent to a national institute for further analysis. The Prosecutor’s General Office has launched a parallel investigation. Searches have been carried out in hospitals and the offices of the company providing these disinfectants, which have been proved to have a concentration ten times lower than required. Against the background of this scandal, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos is holding talks with healthcare experts on the measures needed to improve the situation in the system.

CEREMONIES — Military and religious ceremonies are today held in all military units in Romania and abroad marking the death of the two Romanian military killed on Saturday in Afghanistan. Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc has announced the two will be promoted post-mortem. The two were killed in a military training facility close to Kandahar, where they were training Afghan police officers. The attackers were wearing Afghan security forces uniforms, and the attack seems to be the work of Taliban terrorists. A third Romanian military wounded in the attack was transferred to a hospital in Germany, where he is now stable. Over 28 Romanian military have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

Romanian handball champions CSM Bucharest won the most important inter-club competition, Champions League. The Romanian side made history on Sunday evening, grabbing a hard-won victory (29-26) against the Hungarian side Gyor in the Champions League final. It was an electrifying game with two periods of extra time and a penalty shootout to decide the winner. CSM Bucharest thus becomes the third Romanian club to win Champions League, after Stiinta Bacau in the 1960-1961 season and Rapid Bucharest in the 1963-1964 season.

TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep went up two places in the WTA ranking published today, reaching fifth place. Ahead of her are American player Serena Williams, German Angelique Kerber, Polish player Agnieszka Radwanska and Spanish player Garbine Muguruza. Romania has four more representatives in the top 100 rankings: Monica Niculescu, 34th seeded, Irina Begu, 35th, Alexandra Dulgheru, 98th, and Sorana Carstea, 99th. Simona Halep recently won the first trophy of the season in Madrid, and qualified directly for the tournament in Rome, going straight to the second round. Two more Romanians will be playing there, Irina Begu and Monica Niculescu.

FOOTBALLER — The private paramedic service PULS are under suspension, following numerous irregularities uncovered by the investigation into the death of footballer Patrick Ekeng from Dinamo Bucharest. PULS was under contract with the Dinamo football club when they played the game in which the player suddenly collapsed on the pitch, even though he had no apparent health problems. The 26 year-old from Cameroon died on Friday night in intensive care. Prosecutors have opened an investigation for criminal negligence.

9 MAY — The 9th of May has triple significance for Romanians. It celebrates the day of independence, proclaimed in 1877, the allied victory in WWII, and the unification of Western European countries. On May 9 1877, the Assembly of Deputies proclaimed the countrys state independence. On the same date in 1945, Germany capitulated to the Allies, ending the war in Europe. Also, on May 9th 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman gave a historic speech, proposing a plan for economic cooperation between France and Germany, ending the historic rivalry between the two powers. The Schuman proclamation laid the basis for building a united Europe.