Press Review - July 19, 2017

07.19.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Dr Gheorghe Burnei Still Banned from Working in State Hospitals

Orthopedic surgeon Gheorghe Burnei, accused of taking bribes from several patients and of conducting unwarranted experimental surgeries, is still banned from exercising his profession in a state hospital.

The Bucharest Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday his license is to remain suspended and that he remains under judicial control.

The disgraced doctor had asked in court to be investigated at large and was hoping to continue to examine and operate on patients at the “Marie Curie” children's hospital in Bucharest.

Burnei's son announced on Facebook last week his father was to examine patients in a private clinic in Bucharest. The clinic, Gral Medical, denied any such arrangement.

New Tax Authority Head Targets Staying Within 3% Budget Deficit Limit

Romania's newly appointed tax authority chief Mirela Calugareanu said she will work with the finance ministry to ensure the country does not go over the 3% of GDP budget deficit limit.

Prime Minister Mihai Tudose on Tuesday sacked the former tax authority head Bogdan Stan over poor tax collection.

Mercedes-Benz Parent Daimler Issues Huge Recall as Diesel Emissions Questions Linger

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler issued a major recall in Europe to fix diesel vehicles amid speculation that regulators are probing whether the company violated emissions standards.

Daimler said Tuesday that it would repair more than 3 million vehicles in Europe to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

Excessive NOx emissions enveloped fellow German automaker Volkswagen Group in a scandal when it was revealed in September 2015 that the company had intentionally evaded regulations.

Daimler said it would spend about $254 million to fix the diesel vehicles at no cost to customers. 

"In this way, Daimler is making a significant contribution to the reduction of nitrogen-oxide emissions from diesel vehicles in European inner cities," the company said in a statement.

Of 180,000 Unvaccinated Children, 90% Don't Get to See a Doctor

Romania's health ministry and interior ministry started a pro-vaccination campaign and local teams have been set up in each county to report on cases of measles in real time.

According to data centralized by the health ministry, there are around 180,000 unvaccinated children countrywide and in only 10% of cases parents refused vaccination, while the rest never even get to their family practitioner.

Romania currently has over half a million doses of vaccine against measles that should be sufficient until the end of the year.