First 'Online Hospital' Launched in Romania

A group of Romanian doctors has launched an online patient portal, SpitalOnline.ro, which allows patients to obtain healthcare services non-stop - whether or not they are in the vicinty of a hospital.

“Our goal is to make healthcare easily accessible to everyone. The project represents a fast alternative to the traditional medical consultations and, on the other hand, aims to prevent people from getting amateur treatment while searching online for solutions to their problems,” Mihai Rascu, founder of the portal, said on Tuesday.

Some 150 doctors are involved in the “online hospital”, while the patients have access to 30 specialties. Rascu added that the service is not suitable for people with complex illnesses.

In order to get healthcare service, the patient has first to create an account on the platform, choose the specialty and then to get in touch with an available doctor. Of course, he or she has first to pay for the consultation online.

A consultation costs around 20 euro, but there are also lower tariffs for an annual subscription.

Romania’s health system is facing many changes. In recent years, the country has been struggling to reform the public health sector, which has suffered from years of underinvestment. Hospitals are shortstaffed and often lack specialists and modern equipment.

Healthcare expenditure in Romania consumes around 6 per cent of GDP, almost half the EU average. Spending per citizen amounted to 700 euro in 2010, while wealthy Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Austria, spent close to 4,000 euro per capita.

Low pay in the health sector and the government’s apparent unwillingness to carry out changes are blamed for an exodus of qualified doctors and nurses.

The average salary of...