The Mures County Clinical Hospital (SCJ) announced on Tuesday the completion of the modernisation and acquisition project of the Pathological Anatomy Service, a total investment of RON10,837,320.90 lei, including VAT, which was transformed into a unique platform of digital molecular pathology, at least at the county level, patterned on European centres of excellence.

Under the project called 'Acquisition of the Anatomy and Pathology Service of the Mure County Clinical Hospital', carried out between November 28, 2024 and June 27, 2026, the Mures medical facility has become a reference centre in Romania for the precision diagnosis of cancer.

The composition of the new laboratory was developed from a sketch conceived by Ovidiu Cotoi, vice-rector of the Targu Mures University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology (UMFST), head of the Pathophysiology subject, and head of works Iuliu Gabriel Cocuz, medical expert under the project, according to a successful model studied at the Centre for Molecular Pathology in Graz, Austria.

The Targu Mures platform integrates three essential levels: classical histopathology, digital pathology and molecular pathology, offering an integrated circuit dedicated exclusively to establishing personalised treatments by the tumour profile of each patient.

'The clinical service of pathological anatomy has been completely transformed in terms of flow and diagnostic capacity. It is a unique platform in the country at this moment through the equipment purchased,' said Cocuz.

The new laboratory, added Cocuz, composed of six rooms with unidirectional flow designed specifically to prevent contamination of tumour DNA samples, is among the first in the country to fully comply with the new order of the Ministry of Health, which came into force in February 2026.

'The laboratory already recorded its first operational success three weeks ago, when the isolation and extraction of genetic material from 'patient zero' was successfully carried out. The tests confirmed a superior quality of the tumour DNA extracted directly from the histological slide, paving the way for advanced genetic analysis,' said Cocuz.

Among the state-of-the-art equipment purchased is the Illumina MySeqDx sequencer, the only device of this type with IVD certification in Mures County, considered the jewel of the laboratory, capable of identifying specific genetic mutations to indicate the optimal targeted therapy.

In addition, the laboratory is equipped with hybrid histopathology equipment and Bio-banking infrastructure, consisting of two deep freezers capable of storing patients' samples for the long term at temperatures of -86°C.

'All systems are 'IVD ready', strictly complying with the requirements of the new European IVDR Regulation (In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation), which will become mandatory starting in 2027 for this risk class, placing the Mure? hospital at the forefront of the European medical system,' added Cocuz.

Vice-Rector of UMFST and the head of the Clinical Service of Pathological Anatomy at SCJ Mures Ovidiu Cotoi highlighted the historical value of this investment, calling it a moment of professional and institutional turning point.

'It is a landmark for medicine in Targu Mures and for this hospital. It is the first time when, after many years, we will have an infrastructure in the pathological anatomy service up to European and international level. This hospital, the oldest in the city, which has been contributing to the health of the region for over 100 years, can finally offer patients a real chance at life.'

The doctor underlined the hidden importance of pathological anatomy, a field wrongly associated only with prosthetic services, but which represents the central pillar in onco-diagnosis.

'We offer a chance at life through early, quick and correct diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis gives patients essential years with their families. The idea of this laboratory was born 20 years ago (...), and the first modern laboratory opened 10 years ago. The huge opportunity of European funds from the Health Operational Programme, which appeared three years ago during discussions with the hospital management and the County Council, has definitively turned this dream into reality (...). Molecular and digital pathology bring the concept of personalised and targeted therapy. Personalised therapy allows us to determine those mutations in the patient's specific DNA, treating particular disease and not cancer in general. Through targeted therapy, modern oncology reaches Targu Mures, directly attacking the diseased cell,' explained Cotoi.

Project manager Paula Cerghizan said that the main purpose of this platform was to increase the accessibility and quality of the medical services offered to the population, an objective achieved by the complete automation of the histopathology and cytology departments.

'The new infrastructure allows the implementation of advanced molecular diagnosis and tumour profiling techniques, essential for guiding personalised and high-quality oncological treatments. In addition to ensuring a cost-effective medical act, the initiative brings a sustainable use of resources through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. This modern equipment significantly reduces current consumption and carbon dioxide footprint, strictly complying with the ecological criteria imposed by the European DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principle, so as not to cause significant damage to the environment,' said Cerghizan.

The manager of SCJ Mures, Ovidiu Girbovan, said that this project directly responds to the objective of the European Health Programme 2021-2027, for a healthier European Union, being a project of strategic importance.

'The project contributes to the European Union's strategy to ensure a better level of health and well-being of people throughout their lives and to strengthen health systems and promote universal health coverage. Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - our project comes in this context for the early detection of cancer by improving the quality of diagnoses and access to them. The National Plan to Combat Cancer in Romania - the project practically contributes to the diagnosis of cancer in the regional master plan of healthcare services in the Centru region,' said Girbovan.

Chairman of the Mures County Council Peter Ferenc said that out of the total value of this project, of RON10.8 million, the own contribution of the institution he leads, under which SCJ Mures is subordinated, is RON 1 million.

'By implementing the project, medical professionals will be able to carry out their activity in better conditions, at higher professional standards, and patients will have faster and safer access to the investigations and treatments they need. Our role, as a public authority, is to ensure the necessary conditions for the continuous development of the health system. That is why we constantly support the modernisation of medical facilities, the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing infrastructure, the acquisition of high-performance equipment and the improvement of working conditions for the healthcare workers,' said Ferenc.

Funding was provided under the Health Operational Programme, from a non-repayable contribution of the European Union (through the ERDF) to the amount of RON 8,449,339.98. The difference of RON 1,292,252.00 was covered from the national budget and the remaining RON 1,095,728.92 by the Mures County Council in co-funding. AGERPRES ( RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)