PRESS RELEASE

All the regional SANITAS trade union leaders took part at the meeting.

Dr. Ovidiu Brinzan presented the situation of the health system and its perspectives for the year 2004. The Health Minister discussed the possibility of having trade union leaders as observers, at local as well as at central levels, of the externalization process of the services in the medical institutions. The externalization of specific services in the medical institutions is a strong point in Minister?s Branzan?s agenda, deriving from the stringent need of improving the quality of the services performed in Romanian medical institutions.

Another important issue will be discussed further between the two social partners, namely some facilities for the medical personnel, including the meal vouchers (?) for all medical institutions.

Dr. Ovidiu Brinzan has assured the trade union leaders of his full co-operation and willingness to maintain a healthy, good relationship with the social partners. Respecting the social pact during the year 2004 and eliminating the social tensions is one of Minister?s Branzan objectives.