One of Romania’s prime natural healing facilities – the Techirghiol Spa and Sanitorium mud-bathing facility (SBRT) – is in danger of decay due to environmental factors and development, according to the former Health Minister Vasile Cepoi.

In recent years more than €10m (US$13m, £8m) has been invested in improving services and raising the comfort level of tourists who visit the facility for the mud’s healing properties. The money has come from the the Ministry of Health, SBRT manager Vasilica Rusu told the Romanian national news agency Agerpres.

“In my opinion, yes, it is in danger,” said Vasile Cepoi. “I saw they started building very close to the Techirghiol Lake, which can change a number of natural factors such as air and water streams that lead to mud degradation.”

“Clearer legislation is needed on the defence of premises with natural healing factors,” Cepoi added. “We are going to release a strategy from which to issue subsequent pieces of legislation conducive to solving many problems, one of which is this one. It’s not the Techirghiol alone, but all the spa resorts [in Romania].”

Conditions that the facility claims the mud treats successfully include musculoskeletal, rheumatic, inflammatory, dermatological and post-traumatic complaints. Research is also being carried out to demonstrate the anti-ageing properties of the Techirghiol mud.

Cepoi commented on the fact that while medical tourism is well represented in Romania, wellness tourism is not. “Recreational tourism (wellness) in health tourism has a number of particularities,” Cepoi said. He explained that a tranquil 'medical' atmosphere is necessary at most healing facilities, but the desire for relaxation and entertainment should also be kept in mind. “Authorities and investors should think about this because this is the only way for Techirghiol to become a magnet, not only for Romanians, but also for foreigners,” Cepoi concluded.

There have been many initiatives to promote the effectiveness of the facility in the past. It even housed a museum of walking aids for a time, donated by guests whose rheumatic and skeletal problems were cured by the mud – enabling them to walk freely.