Introduction
Due to the hardships of transition, Romanians still face many problems related to quality health care and nutrition practices. The infant mortality rate is one of the highest in Europe, although a decrease has been noted in the past few years. Many children are badly fed from infancy onwards, when they are deprived of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The rate of anemic children is very high, at about 50%. Many children suffer from malnutrition, especially in vulnerable communities, and even those who have food to eat do not always receive the healthiest nourishment for their development. The maternal mortality rate is high (up to 75 women die every year), and is linked to the lack of prenatal care and the large number of abortions. Many women do not use contraceptives, partly because they do not know about them or do not trust them. One of the results of risky sexual behavior is the increase in the number of people with sexually transmitted illnesses, such as syphilis. Tuberculosis continues to be of great concern with its incidence on the rise. Romania does score well in terms of its vaccination system, which covers almost 100% of children. The health care services and institutions have begun improving, but there is a great deal to be done. There is a need for an increase in smaller, better and friendlier primary clinics that could solve many the health-related problems, relieving the burden on hospitals. As many of these clinics are under-funded and lack basic medication and tools, people prefer to go directly to secondary and tertiary medical care units, which together spend 80% of the resources allocated to health. Hospitals and clinics are not perceived as friendly places, and their staff is sometimes regarded with distrust. Doctors and nurses are badly paid in Romania, and this results in corruption, bribery and a lack of interest in their work. Many patients complain about the way they are treated by hospital staff, and conditions in these facilities. At times, owing to a lack of knowledge about services, people tend to solve health-related problems in traditional ways. In rural areas, where access to health care is more difficult, sick children from underprivileged families often do not benefit from any health care services or get these too late, leading to many deaths of children under the age of five, who die at home without any medical attention. With an over-burdened health system, strained resources, and shrinking health care funding, there is now a need more than ever to change the focus from treatment and cure needs to prevention and promotion of health. Health care service costs are currently covered by the National Health Insurance House, while ministerial funds are destined only for capital investments and major preventive health services.
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