The official signing of the „Pact for the Early Diagnosis and Modern Management of Bronchopulmonary Cancer” brought together the main actors in the Romanian healthcare system in a coordinated effort to radically transform the management of the most aggressive oncological pathology in the country. The event, supported by the Health Innovation Hub and initiated by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMF) of Craiova, officially marks the establishment of a national framework for multidisciplinary collaboration and the transition from successful regional initiatives to large-scale, nationally relevant public policies.
The Pact follows the successful rollout of the screening and information project “Oltenia Breathes Better,” academically coordinated by UMF Craiova, the results of which were presented during the event. The project highlights the need for increased efforts toward the early diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer and the importance of complementing current health policies and procedures for the benefit of patients.
“The results of the ‘Oltenia Breathes Better’ project demonstrate that organized screening and multidisciplinary collaboration can radically change the prognosis of patients with bronchopulmonary cancer. Through this Pact, we are taking an essential step from a validated regional model toward building a coherent national framework based on prevention, early diagnosis, innovation, and rapid access to treatment for patients in Romania,” stated Prof. Dr. Dan-Ionuț Gheonea, Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova.
Radu Rășinar, Vice President of the Local American Working Group (LAWG) Association – a founding member of the Health Innovation Hub, added: “The Craiova project proves that when there is collaboration, vision and coordination among specialties, solutions for early diagnosis in detecting bronchopulmonary cancer can work. The natural next step is the rapid scaling of these solutions and the transformation of the measures proposed by the Pact into standard medical practice. The value of this Pact for the early diagnosis and modern management of bronchopulmonary cancer, undertaken today, will not be measured by signatures, but by the lives it can change.”
An Alarming Reality: Late Diagnosis Costs Lives
In Romania, bronchopulmonary cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death, causing over 13,500 deaths annually (approximately 20% of total oncological mortality). The system’s main vulnerability is late detection: over 70% of cases are identified in advanced stages (IIIb-IV), when treatment options are limited, and the 5-year survival rate falls below the European Union average (~13%).
In stark contrast, detecting the disease in Stage I increases the 5-year survival rate to up to 80%. This statistical reality prompted the urgent adoption of the Pact, bringing together the expertise of various medical specialties and cross-institutional collaboration. This aligns with the National Plan for Preventing and Combating Cancer (Law 293/2022), the European Beating Cancer Plan, and the World Health Organization’s 2025 Resolution on Lung Health, which mandate the development of evidence-based actions and health policies for the prevention, screening, and diagnosis of lung cancer.
Prof. Dr. Laura Mazilu, President of the National Society of Medical Oncology in Romania (SNOMR), noted: „The National Society of Medical Oncology in Romania is honored to be a member of the Health Innovation Hub, our involvement being a natural extension of the multidisciplinary collaboration we practice daily in our dedicated committees. As a representative of Romanian oncologists, I know how critical early diagnosis and access to innovative therapeutic options are, and the ‘Oltenia Breathes Better’ project shows concretely what can be done in this regard. This initiative highlights the central role of collaboration between specialties and partners, and it would not be possible without the constant involvement of the industry and the support of patient associations. SNOMR supports prevention and education policies, as well as the development of multidisciplinary tumor boards in more hospitals, to ensure the best chances for oncological patients.”
From the Successful “Oltenia Breathes Better” Model to National Action
At the core of the Pact are the validated results of “Oltenia Breathes Better,” a pilot screening project academically coordinated by UMF Craiova through the Health Innovation Hub, in partnership with the National Society of Medical Oncology in Romania (SNOMR). Conducted as a cross-sectional study among the employees of the Rovinari Energy Complex, this successful regional model has revolutionized the diagnostic pathway. Among the project participants, over 50% were classified as intermediate or high risk based on the assessment questionnaire. Pulmonary nodules were identified in 75.3% of the individuals who underwent Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) investigations, 7.5% of which presented a risk of malignancy. Furthermore, among those investigated via LDCT, 22.6% showed pulmonary emphysema, and 37.1% had evident coronary calcifications. The project highlighted the major benefits of integrating modern technology: from using risk questionnaires and LDCT to applying Artificial Intelligence to identify incidental nodules and creating an ultra-fast circuit between imaging, pulmonology, and oncology.
Assoc. Prof. Pharmacist Carmen Oancea, UMF Craiova – academic coordinator of the screening project, highlighted that „The ‘Oltenia Breathes Better’ project confirmed the importance of actively identifying individuals at risk and the benefits of integrating modern technologies into medical practice. The use of LDCT investigations, digital assessment tools, and Artificial Intelligence-based solutions can significantly reduce diagnostic delays and create a much more efficient pathway for the patient, from suspicion to therapeutic intervention. Identifying industrial areas with associated risk factors and facilitating the citizens’ medical circuit were key points of the project, a project that can be easily replicated nationally.”
By signing this document, the institutional partners and participating organizations commit to implementing a national model based on several clear objectives:
- Improving access to early diagnosis: Promoting LDCT investigations for the at-risk population and standardizing the reporting of pulmonary nodules according to international guidelines (Lung-RADS, Fleischner).
- Optimizing and standardizing the patient pathway: Reducing waiting times and creating a fast-track circuit from risk identification to diagnosis confirmation and treatment initiation.
- Strengthening the role of family medicine: Integrating risk stratification tools into the routine practice of family physicians.
- Multidisciplinary coordination (MDT): Standardizing clinical management through multidisciplinary teams.
A signatory of the Pact, Prof. Dr. Florin Mihălțan, President of the Romanian Society of Pulmonology (SRP), stated that „The pulmonologist plays a central role in establishing a correct final diagnosis, especially considering additional risk factors, such as smoking and pollution, which can influence the evolution of respiratory diseases. In this complex context, the ‘Oltenia Breathes Better’ project highlights how an integrated approach, multidisciplinary collaboration, and collective effort can lead to concrete results in improving respiratory health at the regional level. Screening facilitates the early detection of diseases and can also identify incidental diagnoses, as observed with LDCT within the project. In this regard, the Innovation Hub can support the development of strategies oriented toward prevention and screening access, contributing to the early identification of respiratory pathologies.”
Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Iana, President of the Romanian Society of Medical Radiology and Imaging (SRIM), considers that “The results of the ‘Oltenia Breathes Better’ project represent a clear confirmation of the impact that multidisciplinary collaboration and the involvement of specialists, the industry, and patient associations can have on improving healthcare services and the patient pathway. I would like to congratulate the project team for managing to bring all these actors together, demonstrating that only through partnership can we develop efficient models for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”
“I congratulate UMF Craiova and the project team for the successful model they have developed, a model that should be adopted and implemented as an integral part of clinical practice. The National Society of Family Medicine remains open to partnerships that support prevention and innovation in healthcare, emphasizing the essential role that family doctors play in the screening process,” noted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gindrovel Dumitra, Vice President of the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF).
A Broad Coalition for Life
The Pact signed today brings together a critical mass of decision-makers and experts. Signatories and event participants included: the Health and Family Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, the G6-UMF University Alliance, the National Health Insurance House, the National
Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania, specialized medical societies — the National Society of Medical Oncology in Romania (SNOMR), the Romanian Society of Pulmonology (SRP), the Romanian Society of Medical Radiology and Imaging (SRIM), the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF) — the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), patient associations that are part of the Hub — the Coalition of Patients’ Organizations with Chronic Diseases, the Association of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases — as well as the Local American Working Group (LAWG) Association and the pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer, and Roche.
The next concrete step is the creation of a consensus document featuring the health policy recommendations highlighted during the event, alongside the formation of an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional working group to formulate technical proposals and monitor progress. During the event, specialists already defined the initial priority recommendations for the next 6-12 months, laying the groundwork for a predictable, sustainable, and equitable framework for Romanian patients’ access to innovation and rapid diagnosis for the early detection of bronchopulmonary cancer.
The project was developed with the support of the pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer, and Roche.
The Health Innovation Hub was initiated in 2023 by the G6-UMF University Alliance and the Local American Working Group (LAWG) Association, with the Ministry of Health as a strategic partner, and supports the development of innovative projects and public policies aligned with major public health priorities in Romania.
