Romania is still recovering from the impact of the world financial crisis in 2008, which because of their entry into the European Union in 2007, forced the government to adopt a draconian austerity program. Although the Romanian people have made progress since the dark days of brutal dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, nearly one in ten Romanians still lives in poverty, a much higher rate than their other European neighbors. An infamous legacy of the Ceausescu rule is Romania's limited public health system and related AIDS crisis. Critical health issues:

• Hemophilia- treatment
• Communicable disease – treatment of HIV/AIDS
• Chronic disease – heart and blood diseases

Our Work:

AmeriCares has focused a great deal of effort on support for treatment of hemophilia.

Since 1988, AmeriCares has sent more than $217 million worth of lifesaving medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian relief to Romania.

AmeriCares was first allowed to help the people of Romania after the end of the country's authoritarian dictatorship. During the height of the international AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Ceausescu denied to existence of disease, leading to a public health policy without infection proper control measures. As a result, thousands of orphans were infected with AIDS by dirty needles and blood transfusions intended to treat anemia and malnutrition. The aftermath of the AIDS crisis continues today, worsened by the impact of the 2009 global recession and shortages of medicines needed by HIV/AIDS patients.

Communicable Disease:

AmeriCares has led focused initiatives in Romania to increase the availability of treatment for pediatric HIV/AIDS patients. Among other things, AmeriCares has provided anti-viral therapy for infected children through partnerships with the Baylor Black Sea Foundation and Constanta Infectious Disease Hospital. Through these partnerships, children received comprehensive care, including treatment for conditions such as tuberculosis, anemia and respiratory infections. Read More »

Chronic Disease:

AmeriCares work in Romania largely centered on the treatment of hemophilia, an inherited disease that prevents blood from properly clotting. AmeriCares sent shipments of hemophilia treatments to partner clinics in Romania's largest urban centers. For example, the Loius Turcanu Emergency Hospital for Children serves more than 2,000 hemophilia patients each year and is responsible for programs throughout the country. Read about changing kids lives at Camp Ray of Hope.

The Hospital Clinic Fundeni is another leading provider of services for hemophilia patients. AmeriCares expanded support to include the Hospital's kidney disease unit, cancer center and cardiovascular department. The Hospital was built to serve nearly 400,000 people in Romania's capital city of Bucharest, however, government funding only provides for 1/3 of the hospital's intended patients. AmeriCares' donations ensure that a greater portion of the hospital's patients receive high-quality care and lifesaving treatment.

Currently, the regulatory environment has prompted AmeriCares to put a hold on the partnership with Romania. We are trying various avenues to retain this important partnership to continue to support the country.

AmeriCares donated medical products to qualified U.S. health care professionals who are traveling to Romania to provide charitable medical care. Through this program, donated medicines and medical supplies reach impoverished and isolated communities where even basic medical care is inaccessible to the poor or often non-existent. AmeriCares donations cure infections, relieve pain, help patients manage chronic diseases and make life-changing surgeries possible. Since 1990, products valued at over $4 million have been donated to the Medical Outreach Program in Romania.

Find out more about our Medical Outreach program