Four institutions - the 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology (UMFST in Targu Mures, the Mures County Emergency Clinical Hospital, the Targu Mures Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant, and the 'George Emil Palade' Clinical University Hospital - signed on Tuesday an agreement establishing the Targu Mures Medical Consortium, Romania's first academic-clinical-research hub concentrated in one city.

Rector of the 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology Leonard Azamfirei said the agreement implements a recent provision in the Health Law allowing medical consortia between hospitals and universities. 'What we do today is not just an understanding on paper, but the practical application of a new legal article. (...) We have in the same city both the university and the main clinical hospitals,' he noted, adding that all three hospitals are building new infrastructure at similar quality standards.



The consortium aims to develop integrated clinical pathways, joint research projects, shared resources and coordinated access to national and EU health funding.

Manager of the County Hospital Florin Craciun called it a new model of cooperation. 'The answer cannot come from isolated actions. (...) The four landmark institutions in Targu Mures choose to unite their clinical expertise, university resources and managerial experience to build a strategic medical project,' he said, stressing that each member keeps its autonomy while cooperating on shared priorities. 'Medicine of the future is built around the patient, not institutions,' Florin Craciun added.

University Hospital representative Rodica Biro said the consortium is a strategy for integrated care. 'We will not create competition between us. The medical activity will unfold in collaboration - which is essential for using human resources, infrastructure and equipment,' she stated, highlighting joint procurement and coordinated access to national, European and international funding.



Rodica Biro added that shared human resources will help address specialty shortages and expand access to advanced technologies. 'Inter-institutional cooperation is a step forward. We will need firm support from the Health Insurance Office and Public Health Directorate,' Biro said.

Manager of the Targu Mures Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant Mariana Ciorba called the agreement a milestone. 'For our institute it is an honour to be part of this effort. For more than three decades now, our institute has built its reputation through professionalism, performance and the dedication of our medical teams, who treat the most complex cardiovascular pathologies and offer a new chance at life through the transplant programme. (...) The cardiovascular and transplant pathway is one of the most valuable components of this strategic project,' she said, noting the consortium will enable an integrated model covering emergencies, interventional cardiology, surgery, intensive care and transplant.

UMFST Senate Chairman Horatiu Suciu said the consortium formalises a three-decade practice. 'This strategic medical hub should become a model of best practice for other centres. (...) It is a unique moment, comparable to the founding of the university more than 80 years ago,' he stated.

The only other consortium in the country - Bucharest-Buzau - is regional and focused on staffing support, while the Targu Mures structure is a single-city academic clinical and research hub. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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