The Ministry of Health and the Bulgarian Medical Association Discussed the Launch of National Cancer Screening Programs

The Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Mikhail Okoliyski, held a working meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian Medical Association dedicated to the upcoming launch of two national screening campaigns – for colorectal cancer and cervical cancer. This was reported by the health ministry.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that screening is a key element of the policy for early diagnosis and prevention and has the potential to cover a significant part of the population, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

“My team and I seek transparency and efficiency. Our goal is for public resources to be used in the best possible way, while simultaneously guaranteeing the timely start of screening campaigns, which are of exceptional importance to society,” stated Assoc. Prof. Okoliyski.

The Minister emphasized that the actions taken to review the procedures aim to ensure full transparency and to assess whether available funds can provide even greater coverage for the programs. This will not hinder the start of the screening, which remains a primary priority of the Ministry of Health.

For its part, the Bulgarian Medical Association presented the algorithms developed by experts for conducting the two programs, including the patient pathway. “Our expert labor stands behind these documents, and I believe we have done our job perfectly,” stated the Chairman of the BMA, Dr. Nikolay Branzalov.

An expanded working meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian Medical Association and the National Health Insurance Fund is forthcoming, where organizational and technical details related to the registration of participants in the NHIS, the reporting of results, and the tracking of the screening’s impact will be discussed.