Life in Romania

There is much to be said in the positive for the Romanian health system and I am sure I will write some more on this at a later date. But there is also a lot to be said on the negative side. Take for example a neighbor of mine here in the village. For months now she has had a kidney problem, they told her it was a kidney stone. And they put her on some treatment. However and here is the problem, unless you personally give the doctor money (in his hand) they won't treat you or if they do it will be very bad treatment. After several months of back and forth to the hospital and lots of money (in Romanian terms) give to the doctor her kidney is now infected and they tell her it needs to be removed. Now I am not saying that this is the doctors fault, but the next bit is. When ever the doctors see her he tells her that she needs an operation, maybe even the kidney needs to be removed, but then he does nothing. The next time the same story. Of course he is waiting for more money. She did give him some and then the operation was arranged but then one of the assisting doctors (the anesthetist) said his portion wasn't enough, so it has been delayed again.

She is currently lying in bed, in lots of pain, trying to arrange extra money for her operation. Is Romania ready for the EU? I don't think so.

G