Health Minister: Romania to open new radiotherapy centers this year with World Bank funding

Radiotherapy represents a major objective for the Romanian Ministry of Health, as there aren’t enough centers in the country, so nearly 15 new centers will be opened by the end of the year, Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu told local Mediafax. “The radiotherapy is the most disfavored sector in oncology, because we don’t have enough centers. That is why we’ve signed an agreement with the World Bank, ans we plan to open nearly 15 new centers for radiotherapy by the end of the year. We’re talking about EUR 40 million through the program with the World Bank, and another EUR 20-30 million in savings, an amount that would be enough for developing this project,” said Banicioiu. He added that, once the private-state costs are standardized, the cost of a radiotherapy session in the private sector will drop to nearly EUR 1,000, compared to EUR 5,000 or EUR 6,000 in some clinics. World Bank to give Romania EUR 200 mln for acquisition of cancer treatment equipment. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com