Ministry of Health amends the pay legislation: on-call shifts paid at 100%

The Ministry of Health has announced significant changes to the pay legislation within the healthcare system, as ambulance workers carry out protests demanding improved working conditions. The new proposals aim to double the pay for on-call shifts and weekend work.

These changes come at a critical time for the Romanian healthcare system, which is facing an acute staffing crisis. Ambulance workers, who provide vital services to all patients — including elderly people, a vulnerable group with frequent medical needs — are calling for substantial improvements to their working conditions.

For older people, who frequently rely on ambulance services in emergency situations, the quality and availability of these services are essential. Senior citizens account for a significant proportion of patients who call upon emergency services, whether for cardiovascular problems, strokes, or other age-related medical complications.

The ministry's proposals include not only a pay increase for additional hours worked, but also formal recognition of the importance of ambulance personnel, who work in demanding conditions and irregular hours. These measures could help retain specialists within the system and improve emergency medical services.

The implementation of these legislative changes could have a positive impact on the quality of emergency medical care, benefiting in particular vulnerable groups — among them elderly people who require prompt and professional medical assistance in critical situations.