Three quarters of Romanians skip doctor visits when sick over cost fears

Around three quarters of Romanians gave up on seeing the doctor in 2010 due to the high costs involved, found a study issued by the Romanian Association of International Drug Producers (ARPIM). “The number should get the attention of authorities and raise questions. Especially as we're talking about millions of Romanians who did not go to the doctor when they were sick, fearing the costs of analyses and drugs, even though they pay monthly health contributions. They only see the doctor when their situation worsens,” said Cristian Lutan, head of ARPIM.

Women gave up on medical care, with almost 75 percent of respondents skipping doctor visits for fear of high costs, while almost 90 percent of young people between 15 and 24 did the same. “This impacts the society, as an ill citizen will not have the same contribution to the national economy as a healthy one. Studies show every 100 Romanians lose 16 years of their active life due to the poor conditions of the health system, and the situation is not recent,” Lutan went on. Romania ranks among last on health expenses per capita, with some EUR 600, one third of the European average. The country ranks last in the EU on the GDP ratio allotted to health – 3.6 percent, half the EU average. Romania loses 15 percent of its GDP – around EUR 18.6 billion – due to the poor health of its people. If Romanians were as healthy as the average European, the country would have an economic surplus of EUR 6.7 billion- around 6 percent of the 2010 GDP, found another recently issued study. editor@romania-insider.com