Romania has published new criteria for classifying hospitals as strategically important, a decision that has already sparked reactions from health‑sector stakeholders. The government’s decree lists the types of hospitals eligible - county emergency hospitals, university clinical emergency units, clinical emergency hospitals, single‑specialty clinical hospitals and psychiatric units - and sets strict performance, equipment and staffing thresholds. Hospital Clinic Colțea, a leading centre for haematology‑oncology and ENT oncology, does not meet the current criteria. Hospital representatives have expressed concern that the rules do not reflect the facility’s real‑world role. Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete said the aim is to align policy with on‑the‑ground realities, noting that today the system operates on an outdated model. The list of strategic hospitals will soon be finalized, after which other institutions will be re‑classified into categories I, II or III. The debate highlights tensions between national policy and local hospital needs.

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