Volunteer doctors at hospital of Iveşti

Although since 1 April, the Chronic Disease Hospital in the village of Iveşti, Galaţi, is no longer financed by the National Health Insurance House available, being proposed by the Ministry of Health to be turned into a nursing home for the elders, the hospital is still open.

The unit has not been closed yet, as there are still nine patients who practically have been living in hospital for years as social cases, people without financial support or homes, whom their few relatives have completely abandoned them.

Out of mercy for them, the villagers and even the priests in the near areas bring them food while the medical staff comes to hospital, although they are in process of redistribution.

Given that there are two nursing homes for the elders in Galati that were built by the state but unused, the Council of Galati County, as administrator, asked the Ministry of Health to turn Ivesti into a social medical unit.

Thus, medical devices would continue to be used, the ailing residents should walk dozens of kilometers to hospitals in Tecuci or Galati, and also the existing social cases in hospitals would be protected.

Translated by: Cătălina Virvescu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University