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Romania needs “real digitalization” in healthcare. Talks with GE HealthCare on implementing a national Command Center system
Romania’s Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, has announced discussions with GE HealthCare on implementing a national digital Command Center system across Romanian hospitals.
On Thursday, April 16, the Minister confirmed intensified dialogue with GE HealthCare aimed at deploying advanced digital solutions in the healthcare system, including a Command Center platform that would enable real time monitoring of medical resources.
The statements follow an official meeting in Washington with Stephen Verdi, Global Commercial Lead at the company, marking a new phase in Romania’s healthcare digitalization strategy.
Digitalization as a prerequisite for system efficiency
The Minister emphasized that healthcare system efficiency depends directly on the quality and availability of data, criticizing current reporting practices.
“A healthcare system becomes efficient when data are accurate, transparent, and available in real time – not when reports are made out of routine or ‘on paper’ just to look good,” said Alexandru Rogobete.
According to him, the lack of functional digital systems affects both hospital performance assessment and the efficient use of public funds.
Proposed solution: a real-time national dashboard
Discussions with GE HealthCare focused on implementing a Command Center system, already used in other countries, which would provide a centralized and continuously updated overview of healthcare system operations.
Such a system would include data such as bed occupancy rates, ICU availability, waiting times in emergency departments, and operating room utilization.
“In essence, a national dashboard that tells the truth about the system,” the Minister explained.
Direct impact in crisis situations
The Minister highlighted the critical role of such systems in emergency management, where rapid access to information can reduce delays and risks for patients.
“We have seen too many cases where patients arrive at hospitals with no available beds – especially in ICUs – and are transferred to other facilities. That means lost time and increased risk,” Rogobete stated.
An integrated digital system could enable ambulance routing to facilities with available capacity and reduce unnecessary inter-hospital transfers.
Adopting already validated solutions
The Minister stressed that Romania should not build such systems from scratch but instead adopt models that have already been tested and validated internationally.
“We no longer need to reinvent solutions that already work. Romania needs to adopt validated systems that can be relied upon when making decisions for patients,” he said.
Authorities aim to accelerate digital transformation through partnerships with companies experienced in implementing such technologies.
“Romania no longer needs explanations. It needs solutions,” the Minister concluded.
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