[Image credit: Dragoș Nicolae Ghiță].

My name is Dragoș Nicolae Ghiță. I am a retired Romanian non-commissioned officer (NCO), formerly serving in the Romanian Armed Forces. What follows is not just a personal story of illness, but a testimony of resistance, truth-seeking, and the struggle against institutional denial.

The First Alarm: A Heart Attack While Still in Uniform

In 2016, while I was still on active duty, I suffered my first heart attack. I was relatively young, with no significant family history or classic cardiovascular risks. Despite my recovery, no one looked deeper into potential causes. I returned to duty and carried on, unaware that this was just the beginning.

Several years later, after being discharged, I experienced a second heart attack. This event became the turning point. I decided to launch a full investigation into my health.

The Medical Odyssey and a Shocking Diagnosis

Over time, I underwent complex tests across various medical disciplines. Eventually, I was diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis associated with a myeloid neoplasm known as essential thrombocythemia. This rare condition is often associated with long-term exposure to toxic substances, including heavy metals and radioactive materials. I began to suspect a connection with my past military service in contaminated environments.

Between 2006 and 2014, I was deployed twice in international military operations – once in Iraq (2006) and once in Afghanistan (2013–2014). The areas where I was stationed had been heavily bombarded with weapons and munitions containing depleted uranium, which led to widespread toxic and even radiological contamination.

This was the moment I turned to science, research, and international sources for answers.

From Suspicions to Scientific Proof

Despite repeated requests, Romanian authorities refused to acknowledge any possible service-related cause. I decided to act independently. I submitted samples for analysis to the IFIN-HH Nuclear Research Institute in Romania. The results were alarming: the presence of uranium, lead, cadmium, cesium, strontium, iridium and other toxic or potentially radioactive elements was confirmed in my body.

These findings were later validated by a well-respected Serbian toxicologist, Prof. Dr. Jovica Jovanović, who reviewed the data and issued an expert opinion supporting the occupational and toxic origin of my condition.

Bureaucratic Walls and the Fight for Recognition

Armed with medical proof, I approached military and civilian institutions in Romania. I submitted formal petitions, including one to the Ministry of National Defence and another to the national military pensions authority. I also launched two public petitions: one on the Romanian civic platform Declic, and one addressed to the PETI Committee of the European Parliament, which is now open for public support. [The petition to the PETI Committee is available here. ICBUW kindly asks its readers to consider the petition and sign in support of Dragoș‘ cause.]

Still, the Romanian system continues to resist. Institutions either deny responsibility or hide behind procedures. But I refuse to give up.

International Solidarity: A Ray of Hope

Along this journey, I have found remarkable support abroad. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to:

• ICBUW (the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons);
• Professor Manfred Mohr, for his unwavering encouragement and moral support;
• Professor Dr. Jovica Jovanović, for his expert toxicological evaluation;
• Attorney Srdan Aleksić from Serbia, for standing by my side legally; and
• the IFIN-HH Institute, whose professionalism made independent analysis possible in Romania. 

Without this support, my case might have remained invisible.

Why I Speak Out

I am just one of many. There are countless other veterans and civilians who may be suffering in silence, unaware of the long-term consequences of toxic exposure during their service. Some have passed away without ever receiving answers. Some are too afraid or too exhausted to fight.

I fight not only for my health and dignity, but for truth, transparency, and recognition. I fight for those who can no longer raise their voices.

This is a European issue. This is a global issue. And it’s time we treat it as such.

(Dragoș Nicolae Ghiță/Romania)

(ICBUW is continuing to support Dragoș Nicolae Ghiță in his case and his engaged anti-DU efforts making the issue an important part of our campaigning work and events like the DU workshop planned for October in Berlin. Efficient coordination and cooperation is taking place with our partners like IPPNW, EUROMIL and the Aleksić team.

Manfred Mohr, ICBUW)