Ministry of Health Launches Support Program for Healthcare Professionals with €100 Million in Funding

The Ministry of Health is preparing a new support program for healthcare professionals, which is expected to be finalized within two months. An additional €100 million has been secured for its implementation through Operational Programs. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Health Yavor Penchev in a Facebook post.

According to him, the initiative is a clear sign of the determination to implement policies whose application has long been delayed. As an example, Penchev points to the changes introduced in 2025, which aim to ensure a more dignified place for healthcare professionals within the system.

Among the measures is the opportunity for nurses to participate in negotiations for the National Framework Agreement through the Bulgarian Medical Association, as well as their right to open independent healthcare practices—an opportunity already available to midwives and rehabilitators.

The Deputy Minister also emphasizes that the nursing profession is now protected, with the state fully covering tuition fees. Additionally, 1,200 student spots have been approved for the specialty in medical universities.

Nurses and medical residents are also receiving financial support through the project “Promoting Specialization in Areas with a Shortage of Doctors,” under which they can receive up to 2.5 times the minimum wage in addition to their basic salary. Penchev adds that the 2026 budget includes a 10% salary increase for all healthcare professionals working within the structures of the Ministry of Health.

“Our goal is to restore respect for the professions that sustain life. We owe it to the people who care for us in our most difficult moments,” the Deputy Minister further stated.

Earlier today, the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals (BAHP) announced that protest actions will begin on Wednesday due to unfulfilled commitments by the authorities. Their demands are related to increasing minimum wages in the sector and securing public funding for outpatient healthcare services.