Staffing crisis in the Romanian medical system: positions remain frozen
The medical system in Romania is facing a persistent problem that affects the quality of services offered to patients: the freezing of hiring in state hospitals. This measure, introduced back in 2023, limits the ability of healthcare units to recruit doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff, creating major difficulties in managing patient flow.
Currently, the only way a hospital can open a position for competition is by obtaining a memorandum approved by the Government. This bureaucratic procedure is considered by health representatives to be extremely slow and complicated, which prevents the rapid filling of vacancies left open by retirements or staff departures.
The consequences of this freeze are felt directly in hospital wards, where existing staff are overworked. The lack of personnel leads to exhausting shifts and longer waiting times for patients, putting pressure on the entire public health system.
Authorities continue to analyze the situation, but as of now, hiring restrictions remain in effect. It remains to be seen whether solutions will be identified in the coming period to simplify the process of unfreezing positions, so that hospitals can operate at optimal capacity to meet the needs of the population.