WHO: Depression Tops List Of Causes Of Ill Health

Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Lack of support for people with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevent many from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.

Said WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan: “These new figures are a wake-up call for all countries to re-think their approaches to mental health and to treat it with the urgency that it deserves.”

One of the first steps is to address issues around prejudice and discrimination. “The continuing stigma associated with mental illness was the reason why we decided to name our campaign Depression: let’s talk,” said Dr Shekhar Saxena, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO. “For someone living with depression, talking to a person they trust is often the first step towards treatment and recovery.” (Adevarul)

Government Approves Ordinance Enabling State Companies To Distribute Reserves To State Budget   The Romanian Government on Thursday approved an emergency ordinance enabling state-run companies to distribute the reserves amasses to the state budget, as dividends or payments.

The distribution of dividends from companies’ rezerves, set up from the profits registered over the previous years, and from the retained profit representing actual earnings from revaluation, is a solution applied by privately-owned companies, according to the government.

In this context, the Government says the „provision introduced harmonizes the legislation regarding the distribution of profits registered by companies/autonomous regies majority owned by the state, with the legislation regulating the distribution for privately-held companies”. (Adevarul)

Finance Minister: Private Pensions Not To Be Nationalized   Finance Minister Viorel Stefan on Monday said the evolution of the public pension pillar is „very good,” adding there is „no point talking about the nationalization of mandatory private pension funds (Pillar II)”.   PNL prime vice-president Catalin Predoiu recently said the government considers the nationalization of private pensions to cover the budget deficit, which would trigger the halving of pensions in 2040.  

Predoiu said the nationalization of private pensions would trigger the decrease of the pensions from 30% to 17% of the average salary in 2040. (Evenimentul Zilei)

Government Seizes Profits Of State Companies

The Romanian government plans to amend the valid legislation so that state-run companies can also distribute as dividends the financial reserves set up over the previous years from the amounts undistributed to shareholders.

The government expects to attract another RON3 billion to the state budget. Currently, some RON5.7 billion from companies’ reserves are placed in investments. (Romania Libera)

Nicusor Dan To Run For New Term As USR President   The president of the Save Romania Union (USR), Nicusor Dan, said he plans to run for a new term at the party’s future congress.

As regards the possibility of Clotilde Armand submitting her candidacy, Dan said “any competition is welcome.” (Romania Libera)

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