[Rumania January 1990: acute medical deficits and chronic shortage--an evaluation at the site]

Between January 4 and 8, 1990, a medical delegation of the University Hospital Zurich (three surgeons, one OT-nurse) was sent to Bukarest. They escorted a large sending of surgical and pharmacological equipment. The assignment was 1. to evaluate the situation in the hospitals around the Bukarest area; 2. to determine the feasibility and the need of medical emergency support; 3. to assess the usefulness and practicability of medium-term relief. A total of 11 hospitals were visited in Bukarest, Pitesti, Racovita and Schitu-Golesti. It was found that 1. a sufficient number of doctors and medical personnel is available; 2. emergency aid is important regarding pharmaceuticals (local anesthetics, analgetics, insulin), infusions, dressing material, surgical instruments and external fixation equipment; 3. medium-term support is need for the complete medical equipment (syringes, injection and infusion sets, probes, suture material, etc.). Local medical literature and journals are worthless. Doctors long for high-quality medical books and periodicals. We can help!