Raed Arafat

Romanian physician and public health official

Raed Arafat in 2025

Raed Arafat (born May 24, 1964) is a Romanian physician of Palestinian origin, known for his significant contributions to the development of emergency medical services in Romania. He is the founder of the Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication (SMURD) and has served in various governmental roles, including as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Early life and education

Raed Arafat was born in Damascus, Syria, to a Palestinian family. He moved to Romania in 1981 to study medicine at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. Arafat completed his medical degree in 1989, specializing in anesthesiology and intensive care.

Career

Founding of SMURD

In 1990, Raed Arafat founded the Mobile Emergency Service for Resuscitation and Extrication (SMURD) in Târgu Mureș, Romania. SMURD was established to provide rapid emergency medical response and has since become a national service, integrated into the Romanian healthcare system. Arafat's vision was to create a service that could deliver advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency, similar to systems in Western Europe.

Government roles

Arafat has held several key positions in the Romanian government. He served as Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Health from 2007 to 2012. In 2012, he was appointed Secretary of State in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a position he has held intermittently. His role involves overseeing emergency situations and coordinating national disaster response efforts.

Contributions to public health

Raed Arafat has been instrumental in reforming Romania's emergency medical services. He has advocated for the integration of emergency services and the improvement of response times. Arafat has also been involved in public health campaigns and has worked to enhance the training and equipment available to emergency medical personnel.

Controversies

Arafat's career has not been without controversy. In 2012, he resigned from his position as Undersecretary of State in protest against proposed healthcare reforms that he believed would undermine the public health system. His resignation led to public protests and ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of the proposed reforms. Arafat was subsequently reinstated in his position.

Honors and recognition

Raed Arafat has received numerous awards for his contributions to emergency medicine and public health. He is widely respected in Romania and internationally for his work in developing and improving emergency medical services.

Related pages

• Emergency medical services in Romania
• Ministry of Internal Affairs (Romania)
• Healthcare in Romania