The Ministry of Health and Sofia Municipality signed a memorandum for better coordination in healthcare

The Ministry of Health and Sofia Municipality signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at improving coordination, transparency, and efficiency in the management of the healthcare system. The document was signed by the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Mikhail Okoliyski, and the Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, according to the health ministry.

The signing took place on Health Day and establishes a foundation for a closer partnership between state and local authorities. “With this memorandum, we are setting an example of partnership between the state and local government. We are now about to build a new model that will demonstrate how joint efforts lead to better results,” stated Assoc. Prof. Okoliyski.

A key focus of the agreement is the creation of a mechanism for electronic tracking and reporting of medical activities funded by municipal resources. This will be implemented by expanding the functionalities of the National Health Information System.

The goal is to ensure full traceability of performed activities and more effective control over the expenditure of public funds. The mechanism will be introduced as a pilot project in municipal medical facilities in Sofia, and the results of its implementation will serve to develop a model with potential for national application.

“Sofia is taking the initiative to introduce a model that shows how municipal healthcare funds can be managed transparently and effectively,” emphasized Mayor Vasil Terziev.

During the meeting, the possibility of using anonymized and aggregated data from the National Health Information System for the analysis and planning of policies in the fields of prevention, prophylaxis, and screening was also discussed. This would allow for better allocation of resources toward activities with the greatest public impact.

With the signed memorandum, the two institutions mark the beginning of a more sustainable partnership aimed at improving access to quality health services and more efficient management of the system in the interest of citizens.