The Romanian Healthcare System: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Status and Reform Initiatives (2024-2025)

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This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Romanian healthcare system based on recent data from 2024-2025, examining its current performance, structural challenges, and ongoing modernization efforts. Romania continues to rank last in the European Union for public health expenditure at 971 euros per capita compared to the EU average of 3,800 euros and demonstrates the second-lowest health system preparedness score according to the GLOBSEC Healthcare Readiness Index 2024. The country exhibits the highest avoidable mortality rate among OECD countries, with 179 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants from treatable causes. Despite these challenges, Romania has committed 2.45 billion euros through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for healthcare system transformation, including 442 million euros for digitalization initiatives. Analysis reveals persistent issues in healthcare workforce distribution, outdated infrastructure, limited access to services in rural areas, and financial barriers to care. The implementation of the National Health Strategy 2023-2030 alongside substantial European funding presents significant opportunities for system improvement, though success depends critically on effective policy implementation, sustained political commitment, and addressing structural governance deficiencies.