One of Romania’s Health Ministry bank accounts blocked due to unpaid debts

One of Romania’s Health Ministry bank accounts was recently blocked after a company which developed architectural works for the institution, with completion in 2009, asked the Court to recover the debts from the Ministry. According to the local media, the debt amounts to EUR 4.3 million. “The company which asked in court the recovery of debts from the Health Ministry had a contract with the ministry for the development of architectural and engineering guides services with completion in 2009,” reads a statement of the institution. In 2009 and 2010 the ministry’s management at that time didn’t pay the amount under the contract, so the company called the institution to court and is now demanding compulsory execution. However, according to the ministry’s statement, the account currently blocked - the one opened at BCR - is usually used to “make certain payments for the ministry’s staff travels abroad, to pay the fuel used for the institution’s cars and other minor bills”. The rest of the ministry’s activities are mainly done through the state Treasury and this account can’t be blocked so the court’s decision does not affect the citizens. The Health Ministry’s representatives are currently negotiating with the company to decrease the amount that has to be paid, namely to reduce some penalties, according to the institution. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com