Doctor Founded Romania's First Ambulance Service and Hospital: 'Go Quickly, But Don't Kill All the Horses.'

In an era when Romanians still believed in witchcraft, spells, and incantations, and the sick sought healing from folk healers, physician Nicolae Minovici founded the country's first ambulance service and emergency hospital. He established the first emergency service in Romania, a pioneering initiative that sought to modernize healthcare.

Minovici's work began at a time when superstition was widespread, and modern medicine was not yet embraced by the general population. He faced the challenge of introducing a new system of emergency medical care, which required a significant shift in public perception and practice. His famous advice to his team, "Go quickly, but don't kill all the horses," reflects a balance between urgency and careful operation, a principle still relevant in emergency services today.

The establishment of the ambulance service and hospital marked a turning point in Romanian healthcare. It introduced a structured approach to emergency response, moving away from traditional remedies towards scientifically-based medical intervention. Minovici's vision and dedication laid the foundation for the development of modern emergency medical services in Romania, impacting countless lives through timely and effective care.

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Go quickly, but don't kill all the horses