Dr. Tiberius BRĂDĂȚAN, Suceava County Hospital, at FERM 2025: “We have a single healthcare system, centered on the patient and professionalism”

Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025 | Regional Economic Forum Moldova brought together, over four days, key stakeholders from local and central public administration, the business environment, academia, NGOs, and international organizations to discuss the future of a region at a turning point.

During the opening session of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (REFM), held in Vatra Dornei, Dr. Tiberiu Brădățan, Medical Director of the “Sf. Ioan cel Nou” Suceava County Emergency Hospital, delivered a strongly programmatic speech, emphasizing the need to establish strategic directions for sustainable regional development, especially in the field of public health.

Challenging Context, Call for Unity and Strategic Clarity

Dr. Tiberiu Brădățan began by highlighting the difficult geopolitical and socio-economic context of the current moment, both for Romania and the broader region, underlining the need for a common effort and clear long- and medium-term goals.

“It is a difficult time for the country; it is a difficult time for the world. Romania, in particular, finds itself after a pandemic, after an economic crisis, in the midst of or near a regional conflict that has escalated, and in major political turbulence, internationally speaking. But for us, what matters is to stay united and keep our eyes on the goal.”

He emphasized an awareness of the gravity of the current situation and made a strong call for solidarity and perseverance. Dr. Tiberiu Brădățan stressed that only through unity and the establishment of a common goal can regional development be sustained, despite external and internal challenges.

The representative of Suceava County Hospital pointed out that development cannot be a chaotic or episodic process. To succeed, the region must adopt a clear strategic plan, with well-defined objectives and timelines, especially looking toward 2030.

“A forum like this has a fundamental role, to create strategic directions for a certain period of time. We cannot develop only through short-term leaps. We need a strategy. By 2030, we must aim to get somewhere.”

This statement reinforces the idea of stability and continuity. Dr. Brădățan conveyed that long-term planning is essential to generate real and sustainable prosperity. A coherent strategy enables efficient resource management, coordination among sectors, and the creation of a shared vision to guide the region’s economic and social development.

Health – the Foundation of Regional Development and a Pillar of Social Security

In his speech, Dr. Brădățan placed central importance on the health sector, deeming it indispensable to any form of regional progress. He emphasized the need for ongoing reforms and the importance of public-private partnerships in improving the quality of medical services.

“In the health sector, where I believe there is significant interest, we will need to continue some reforms and especially deepen them, and the public-private partnership in this area is what will provide a good response to the health status of the population, including in this part of the country.”

Through these words, Dr. Brădățan underlined that structural reforms and effective collaboration between the state and the private sector are indispensable for a modern and high-performing healthcare system.

Unifying the Health System: “We Have One Single System, Centered on the Patient”

One of the strongest points in the speech was the emphasis that Romania does not have two distinct healthcare systems – one public and one private – but a single system that must work in an integrated way, for the benefit of the patient.

“We need to understand, once and for all, that we do not have two healthcare systems, one public and one private. We have one system that must be centered on the patient’s needs and on the professional development of those working in healthcare. We cannot speak only about the patient without the doctor, nor only about the doctor or nurse without the patient. We cannot speak about healthcare without the private sector being involved alongside the public system.”

Dr. Brădățan argued that the patient and medical staff must form an integrated community, and any artificial division undermines the efficiency and accessibility of services.

Human Resources Crisis – “The Elephant in the Room”

Dr. Brădățan identified the shortage of medical personnel as a serious and urgent issue, threatening the sustainability of the healthcare system.

“We have a lot to discuss; we have a major problem, a problem that is like the elephant in the room, and that is the issue of human resources. But we will discuss it more in the panel session.”

This metaphor highlights that human resources represent a sensitive topic, often avoided or minimized in official discourse. By bringing it to the forefront, Dr. Brădățan underscores the severity of the situation. It is a call for open discussion and the development of coherent and sustainable solutions for recruiting, retaining, and motivating medical staff, including in less attractive regions of the country.

In closing, Dr. Brădățan expressed his commitment and that of his team to support reforms and actively participate in the development of both the regional and national healthcare systems.

“All the expertise gained during my term as Secretary of State, as well as from working within the healthcare system, I put at your disposal, and we are open – I am open – to collaboration in this field going forward.”

Conclusions

Dr. Tiberiu Brădățan’s speech provided a clear, lucid, and grounded picture of the current realities of Romania’s healthcare system. Through his call for a common vision, public-private collaboration, and patient prioritization, he conveyed a message of professionalism and responsibility before an audience made up of regional, governmental, and international leaders.

“All the expertise gained during my term as Secretary of State, as well as from working within the healthcare system, I put at your disposal,” concluded Dr. Brădățan, expressing his availability for long-term institutional collaboration.

The 2025 Regional Economic Forum Moldova thus becomes not only a dialogue platform, but a concrete space for action, where health is recognized as critical infrastructure for the sustainable development of the region and as the foundation of collective well-being.