Construction of 15 hospitals underway, financed by Resilience Facility
Romania is currently witnessing an unprecedented hospital-building effort, a feat unseen in over three decades. Nearly 20 hospitals have entered construction in the last three years, with 15 of them currently under construction, according to Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete [1].
This hospital-building spree is being funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). One concrete example of this investment is the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Baia Mare, which has been completed and funded through the PNRR [1]. This project involved rehabilitating and expanding the hospital, constructing a modern outpatient clinic, and approving the purchase of new equipment like an MRI machine to increase diagnostic capacity [1].
However, not all hospitals under construction are highlighted in the available sources. The final allocation of funding for these hospitals has not yet been confirmed, and some projects risk losing PNRR funding due to delays and legal challenges [2].
Minister Rogobete mentioned that five healthcare units originally slated for PNRR financing will no longer receive funding [2]. He cited the hospital in Neamț as one example where financing could not be signed due to legal contests [2]. Another instance is the Pneumoftiziology Hospital in Brașov, which experienced delays in tenders [2].
The construction of 12 of these hospitals is expected to be funded through grants, while the remaining three are expected to be funded through loans [3]. Funding negotiations for these hospitals are still ongoing, and as a result, five sites remain inactive [3].
In addition to physical hospital construction, the Ministry of Health is also working on digital and administrative healthcare improvements funded through the PNRR [4]. However, many hospitals struggle to access digitalization funds, with only about 30% applying for these digital healthcare projects [4].
Minister Rogobete highlighted that this is the first time in 35 years that 12 brand new hospitals are being built, plus three more funded through credit [1]. In Lugoj, the hospital construction contract was terminated after being contested five times and failing to meet deadlines [3].
For detailed information on other hospitals under construction or planned with PNRR funding, official Ministry of Health releases or PNRR project registers would be the most reliable sources. Current public news does not list a comprehensive construction portfolio.
[1] Rogobete, A. (2023). Speech at the opening of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Baia Mare. Retrieved from https://www.mps.gov.ro/ro/actiuni/investitii-in-sanatate/hospitalul-de-boli-infectioase-baia-mare-este-inaugurat-2023-02-28
[2] Rogobete, A. (2023). Statement on the status of PNRR-funded healthcare projects. Retrieved from https://www.mps.gov.ro/ro/actiuni/investitii-in-sanatate/stare-proiectelor-finantate-din-pnrr
[3] World Bank (2023). Romania's PNRR healthcare projects: Challenges and opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/romania/publication/romanias-pnrr-healthcare-projects-challenges-and-opportunities
[4] European Commission (2023). Romania's digital healthcare projects: Funding and applications. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/romania-digital-healthcare-projects-funding-and-applications_en
- The construction of the 12 new hospitals in Romania, as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is expected to be funded through grants, while the remaining three may be funded through loans from the finance industry.
- Despite the hospital-building effort in Romania, some projects risk losing funding due to delays and legal challenges, as seen with the hospital in Neamț, which could not secure PNRR financing due to legal contests.
