The number of private hospitals in Romania went up by 20% last year compared to 2013, to 161 units.

The local private hospitals had over 146,700 patients last year, some 10,000 more than in 2013, and the average hospital stay was 5.5 days, up from 4.9 days in 2013, according to official data from the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The total number of private healthcare centers increased by 59, or 27% compared to 2013, to 273 units, as new units were opened and some public healthcare centers were privatized, reports local Economica.net.

The private system also had 324 specialized medical practices, up by 101 (45% compared to 2013), and more than 12,500 dental practices, 571 (4.8%) more than in 2013. There were also 1,458 medical labs operational at the end of last year.

editor@romania-insider.com