USTDA Supports Health Telecommunications in Romania
September 6, 2012
(USTDA)
BUCHAREST – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a grant to the
Romanian Ministry of Health (MOH) for the deployment and implementation of
health telecommunications solutions for ten Romanian hospitals. The $422,786
grant will support the development of a feasibility study on possible
improvements in health care delivery in rural Romania. The feasibility study
will be conducted by International Development and Technical Assistance LLC.
"Romania has made the modernization of its healthcare system a top priority,"
stated USTDA Regional Director Carl Kress. "We are pleased to support this
important goal, and to connect the Romanian Ministry of Health with U.S.
technology and expertise."
Romania is in the process of implementing an integrated health information
system, which includes the introduction of a health card, electronic medical
records, and electronic prescriptions. The European Union has committed to
provide funding and support for the Romanian healthcare sector, but requires a
feasibility study for implementation financing consideration. This study will
not only help Romania implement these changes, but will introduce technologies
and services from U.S. companies and open the market for U.S. exports.
In 2011, the Romanian MOH was forced to close 68 rural hospitals, resulting in a
major void in healthcare availability for rural Romanians, who comprise 45% of
the country’s population. A current pilot telemedicine project in Tulcea,
Romania, financed by GE and Hewlett Packard, is making strides to address this
issue. The USTDA-supported feasibility study will develop an implementation plan
to roll this system out to ten additional hospitals in Romania, with the
ultimate goal of full national implementation.
The grant was signed at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. The Deputy Chief
of Mission, Duane Butcher signed on behalf of USTDA and Under-Secretary of State
for Health Dr. Raed Arafat signed on behalf of the Romanian MOH.
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