Measures for the healthcare system
The government has taken new measures to the benefit of Romanian doctors, who choose to leave the country, in search of a job abroad, because of small salaries and under-funding in the sector.
România Internațional, 08.08.2016, 14:13
The Romanian government has announced that, in 2016, it will allot some 100 million lei (some 22 million Euros) to increase payment of overtime for doctors on call, in keeping with the base salaries, which were increased as of August 1. Health minister Vlad Voiculescu has said this decision is one of the most important steps taken forward, in recent times, to the benefit of doctors, who choose to leave the country in search of a better paid job abroad, because of small salaries and under-funding.
According to the Health Ministry, the pay rise takes effect as of October 1, and the funds will be allocated thanks to a more efficient management of the existing resources in the healthcare system. Night shifts on call will be made based on a part time individual employment contract. The advantage to doctors is that these shifts will count as both work seniority and seniority in the field. This type of employment contract will allow doctors to benefit from paid annual leave in keeping with the number of hours spent on night calls in hospitals, other than those employing them on a full time basis.
The ministry has also announced that doctors on the so-called “mandatory night shifts” will benefit from a 25% bonus, which hasn’t been the case so far. Also, under the law, doctors who got a PhD in medical sciences since 2010, will benefit from a 15% bonus, which hadn’t been allotted before August 1. Work and rest hours will be reconfigured, in terms of flexibility, showing respect for the effort made by doctors and care for the patients’ safety. The ministry is also analysing ways to pay first and second year resident doctors for the night shifts they make.
The new decisions come just days after, on August 1, the salaries of the employees in the public healthcare system were increased. The hikes range from 300 lei (some 70 Euros) to 900 lei (some 200 Euros). 163 thousand people will benefit from them. Also on August 1, the government introduced a bonus system in healthcare, under which beginners will benefit from a 2% bonus. The quantum of salaries differ, just like in the education system, depending on specialization and seniority and is completed by various bonuses.
The basic salary of doctors working in healthcare units will range between 2,400 lei (525 Euros) and 3,000 lei (650 Euros), depending on work seniority, whereas the salary of nurses will vary between 1,900 lei (430 Euros) and 2,400 lei (540 Euros). The salary of a consultant paramedic and of an emergency doctor will amount to 5,400 lei (some 1,200 Euros).
In another move, state secretary with the Interior Ministry, Raed Arafat, says at least four new hospitals should have been built in Romania over the past 25 years, to replace the old infrastructure, and it’s not normal that that hasn’t happened. Arafat has also added that Romania should have a clear-cut long term plan to restore hospital infrastructure.
