I was surprised when a Romanian friend told me tips were common in hospitals over there. The national healthcare system was "free", but a surgery might still cost a couple hundred in gifts to the surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc. A couple bucks to the nurses that check in on you during your stay.

Good luck getting your bedding changed regularly if you're in a coma and don't have a family member around to dispense tips in your behalf.

Sample size of 1 is pretty small. Anyone else from the region able to corroborate? Sometimes it is good to get a 2nd opinion.