A new beginning: the remarkable transformation of a local hospital in Buhuși, Romania

On the outskirts of the small town of Buhuși in Romania lies a hospital that once seemed destined for obscurity.

Home to just 14 000 people, the town itself is in the heart of Bacău county, one of the most underserved regions in the country. However, in response to a grave shortage of health-care workers, a challenge echoed through the halls of the town’s small “Professor Dr Eduard Apetrei” hospital.

“Professor Dr Eduard Apetrei” hospital in Buhuși, Bacău county, before the renovations and investments.

By 2020, only 22 doctors remained on staff, many nearing retirement age, and the hospital was facing the grim prospect of being reduced to an outpatient facility.

But then something remarkable happened. Against all odds, the hospital in Buhuși found its second wind. A dedicated management team, supported by local authorities and European Union funding, rallied to rebuild the hospital from the ground up. This was a hospital that refused to be forgotten.

The hospital in Buhuși in 2025, after the renovations.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the hospital has become a beacon of hope. It now has 81 doctors – an impressive team for a town of its size. It also boasts 1 doctor for every 3 hospital beds. Over 44 000 hospitalizations and almost 50 000 outpatient consultations took place in 2024. Every department is fully staffed and state-of-the-art medical equipment and devices fill the hospital, purchased through a blend of strategic investment, European funding and generous donations.

“It’s a matter of will. The opportunities are out there,” says Constantin Poiana, the hospital’s manager. “We can only improve and innovate together. We are always open to new ideas and new perspectives.”

Dr Calancia in the Buhuși hospital’s ICU.

Dr Cosmin Calancia, a primary care physician who coordinates the facility’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), is one of the young doctors who returned to Romania after years of working in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.

“At first, coming to a small town was a shock,” he admits. “But I saw the potential. The hospital management believed in me and we worked together to build something new. Now we have a strong, multidisciplinary team that provides better care and our patients are more satisfied than ever.”

The medical staff at the hospital are actively supported and encouraged to take part in initiatives such as organizing scientific events to foster knowledge sharing and continuous learning. These efforts promote the dissemination of successful medical practices, enhance clinical competencies and contribute to the hospital’s broader goal of delivering high-quality health-care services.

Dr Calancia’s vision has brought the ICU to life, transforming it into a department that not only provides top-tier care to patients, but also attracts the brightest medical minds.

Dr Pascariu visiting patient Elena Munteanu.

Thanks to the forward-thinking vision of its management team, the “Professor Dr Eduard Apetrei” hospital has successfully increased its medical personnel recruitment and retention rates. With approval from the Ministry of Health, it is now one of the few non-university medical centres in Romania accredited to run residency programmes in key specialties such as anaesthesia and intensive care, internal medicine, pharmacy, and infectious diseases. This achievement highlights its commitment to implementing targeted educational policies and investing in future health-care professionals.

Elena Munteanu, an 84-year-old patient admitted with a heart condition, can testify to this transformation. “I feel exceptional here. The care is impeccable,” she says with a smile, her eyes gleaming with gratitude. “The food is very good and I feel safe in the hands of these professionals.”

Dr Plesca showcasing the digital equipment used in medical recovery.

The hospital management promotes a strong organizational culture by actively upholding a set of core values, including a commitment to investing in top-tier medical equipment and infrastructure. In recent years, the hospital has invested in state-of-the-art radiology and imaging devices for computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, advanced laboratory equipment, as well as new hospital furniture and devices across all departments, thereby ensuring an improved working environment.

However, the hospital’s transformation is not just about numbers or the digital tools now at its disposal. It is about the people: the doctors, nurses and patients who have helped to shape this new chapter. For Dr Luminița Pascariu, who leads the Internal Medicine department, it is the relationships within the hospital that make all the difference.

“When I first came from Bacău, the city where I was previously working, this place felt small, almost too small for me. But what I found here was a sense of community. The team, the management, the patients, we’re all in this together. And that makes all the difference.”

A physiotherapist using the digital equipment for a recovery session.

With a top-performing radiology department and world-class physical rehabilitation centre, the “Professor Dr Eduard Apetrei” hospital is proving that size does not determine impact. One of the most significant innovations is the hospital’s physical rehabilitation centre, once a neglected basement, now filled with cutting-edge technology: robotics, artificial intelligence-assisted recovery tools and more. It has become a beacon for recovery, drawing patients from all corners of Romania.

Dr Andrada Irina Lichi and Dr Andrei Pleșca, specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine, are 2 of the doctors leading the charge. For them, it’s not just about treating patients – it is about seeing lives transformed. “One of our patients, a 17-year-old girl who traveled 300 kilometres from Baia Mare, was able to regain her ability to walk thanks to this technology. Her mother cried when she saw her progress. It was a moment of pure joy,” recalls Dr Lichi of one of her recent patients.

Drawing by the 17-year-old patient who fully recovered – a thank-you gift for the medical team.

Such stories of recovery are what keeps the staff motivated and the hospital’s reputation continues to grow.

Alongside upgrades to its infrastructure and equipment, investments in human resources have been crucial to the hospital’s transformation. By securing residency programme accreditation and encouraging continuous professional development, the hospital has made good use of funding opportunities to create a modern, supportive work environment and deliver high-quality care.

WHO colleague in front of the Buhuși hospital in Bacău county.

Behind the scenes, WHO has been working with the Romanian Ministry of Health, providing technical support to strengthen policies aimed at addressing health-care workforce shortages and improving the quality of care. Through transformative projects like the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, efforts to retain staff and professionalize health-care roles are well under way. This collaboration is integral to Romania’s goal of achieving universal health coverage and ensuring equitable access to care for all citizens, especially in underserved regions like Bacău.

The story of the “Professor Dr Eduard Apetrei” hospital is one of hope and a testament to the power of resilience, collaboration and the unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of patients and health-care workers alike. What once seemed like a distant dream has now become reality and the hospital in Buhuși stands as a model for health-care transformation in Romania.