Advancing Medical Research and Education: Strategic Outcomes from the High-Level Roundtable on Romanian Health Policies
The Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest hosted a pivotal roundtable titled "Medical Education and Research in Romanian Health Policies: Bridging Education, Research, and Medical Practice". The event, held on October 3, 2024, in a hybrid format, was organised within the Alliance4Life project “Bridging the Research and Innovation Gap in Life Sciences (A4L_BRIDGE)”. It brought together over 100 leading stakeholders, including top government officials, university rectors, and hospital managers, to discuss the integration of research, education, and medical practice in Romania. The discussions focused on aligning Romanian academic health institutions with European standards, addressing key barriers, and developing practical recommendations to enhance collaboration between academia and healthcare institutions.
The event featured prominent speakers such as Prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Health, and Ligia Deca, Minister of Education, as well as representatives from 12 leading institutions and universities from 11 countries across Central and Eastern Europe. Minister of Education Ligia Deca emphasised the critical role of academic institutions in driving innovation, stating, “Universities have a role in creating essential knowledge to face contemporary global challenges, and public health and technological advancement remain catalysts of innovation. By improving collaboration with the labour market and society, academics act as a bridge, putting discoveries from medical research into practice.” She further noted the ministry’s commitment to supporting young researchers through increased funding and new scholarship opportunities aimed at encouraging research careers and modernising educational offerings to align with market demands.
The roundtable resulted in several strategic outcomes that will shape the future of medical education and research in Romania. A key accomplishment was the formation of a dedicated working group to develop a national framework for integrating research and education within teaching hospitals. This initiative will be guided by best practices shared by rectors of leading Romanian medical universities and aims to foster a culture of research and innovation within clinical settings. Rector of the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Viorel Jinga, highlighted the need for sustainable investment, stating “In order to meet performance criteria in education and healthcare, we need medium- and long-term investment programs that provide predictability and stability in the development of these crucial areas. Education, research, and health must be real priorities in the evolution, progress, and security of any nation.”
Another significant outcome of the event was the commitment from the Ministry of Health to amend legislation to facilitate clinical trials and promote strategic partnerships with private sector companies. Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila reiterated, “The big step we need to take concerns the applicability of research results in clinical settings. The Ministry of Health is focused on developing lines of action for clinical research, improving the framework for clinical trials, and fostering partnerships to make these advancements possible.” This initiative will support the operationalisation of the recently established Innovation Hub, which aims to connect Romanian medical universities with pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice.
The roundtable also underscored the importance of aligning with the new European Research Area (ERA) to increase the competitiveness of Romanian research institutions. Jiří Nantl, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic and founder of the Alliance4Life consortium, shared insights into the ERA’s impact on academic institutions, noting that “By bridging the research and innovation gap, we can create a more integrated and competitive European research community that benefits all member states.”
The event’s discussions culminated in a commitment to continued collaboration between the participating institutions, aiming to address shared challenges and leverage collective expertise in shaping the future of medical research, education, and practice in Romania. The roundtable outcomes will be documented and shared with relevant stakeholders to support evidence-based policy-making and facilitate the implementation of the agreed-upon recommendations.