Health Minister: ”Introducing contaminated water into the centralized network would be an unprecedented epidemiological incident”

The Ministry of Health has decided to maintain all restrictions on the use of water in the area supplied by the Paltinu Dam, until laboratory analyses confirm that it is completely safe for consumption. The announcement was made in Ploieşti by Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete, in the context of the major water crisis affecting several localities and medical units in Prahova County.

The minister stated that he had asked the Prahova Public Health Directorate (DSP) not to lift the restrictions under any circumstances until the results are obtained that are compliant from a microbiological and physico-chemical point of view: "It is out of the question to make such a concession and introduce contaminated water into a centralized system. It would lead to an unprecedented epidemiological incident." According to him, any deviation from safety standards would endanger the health of the entire population in the area. The Paltinu Dam crisis has direct effects on major medical facilities. Rogobete presented a detailed situation: five hospitals in Câmpina, Voila, Floreşti, Băicoi and Breaza are currently facing a lack of drinking and domestic water. They host 378 patients, and the medical staff totals 1,260 employees.

The emergency discussions were attended by the managers of these facilities, the management of the Prahova DSP, the head of the State Sanitary Inspection and representatives of the Ministry of Health. In order to prevent a medical crisis, the Ministry of Health activated an emergency cell that includes five major hospitals in Bucharest: the University Hospital, the Bagdasar-Arseni Hospital, the Floreasca Hospital, the Elias Hospital, the Children's Emergency Hospital. These will keep 10 free beds each (5 surgical and 5 non-surgical) for possible transfers from Prahova. "If there is an increase in the number of patients or situations with multiple victims, we are ready to intervene quickly,” said Alexandru Rogobete. Currently, Ploieşti County Hospital has sufficient capacity in the ICU and medical areas, but the authorities do not rule out transfers if the situation worsens.

• Bottled water for hospitals and the population

For the affected health facilities, the ministry has decided to urgently supplement water stocks. In the coming days, hospitals will receive 1,640 2-liter bottles per day, for patients and staff. The authorities' firm recommendation for the population is clear: "Only bottled water during this period.” The minister explained that there are two dimensions to the crisis: the public health risk, generated by the potential contamination of the water; the actual medical situation, which, for now, has not reached the level of emergency. The closure of hospitals is not being considered, but the authorities remain on alert and monitor the situation in real time.

Rogobete asked the population to remain calm and follow official instructions:

"I appeal for balance. The situation is one of alert, but it is not a medical emergency at this time.” The water crisis at the Paltinu Dam continues to affect tens of thousands of people, and authorities estimate that the resumption of safe supply could take several more days, until laboratory tests confirm.

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