The Ministry of Health has accepted the resignation of the Director of the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Children's Diseases (SBAALDB) "Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev"; Dr. Maria Ekimova-Peneva takes over temporary management

The Ministry of Health has received a request from Dr. Blagomir Zdravkov to be released from his position as Executive Director and executive member of the Board of Directors of SBAALDB “Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev,” which will be granted. This was reported by the Ministry of Health.

“In order to guarantee a stable working environment and the continuity of the treatment process, the Ministry will also accept the Board of Directors’ decision for Dr. Maria Ekimova-Peneva to serve as acting Executive Director. A meeting with her is scheduled to ensure the smoothest possible management transition, so that the change in leadership does not lead to disruptions in the medical facility’s activities,” the health department added.

The Ministry categorically rejected claims of institutional pressure being exerted on medical facilities and emphasized that the audits carried out by the competent authorities represent a standard control mechanism for the lawful expenditure of public funds and the quality of medical activities in all state hospitals for which the department is the principal.

In its position, the Ministry further stated that from the beginning of 2025 to date, two audits have been conducted at SBAALDB “Prof. Ivan Mitev” by the Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry of Health—on September 23, 2025, and January 29, 2026. According to data from the Executive Agency for Medical Supervision (EAMS), seven additional inspections were conducted during the same period: three based on reports and complaints, two following prosecutorial orders, one regarding media publications, and one in connection with a letter from the hospital itself regarding a patient’s death. In 2026, two more inspections were carried out following complaints, one of which was accompanied by a decree from the prosecutor’s office.

“Within its legal powers in 2025, the Sofia Regional Health Inspection carried out one comprehensive inspection, three inspections based on reports, and thirteen inspections related solely to cases of acute flaccid paralysis, conducted under the registration procedure for infectious diseases. Since the beginning of 2026, three more inspections of the same type have been conducted,” the Ministry of Health added.

According to the Ministry, these actions are part of the standard control mechanism within the healthcare system and do not represent an extraordinary or targeted practice against any specific medical facility or its management.

The Ministry of Health reports that investments in the modernization of hospital infrastructure are continuing. Highly specialized medical equipment has been provided for the needs of the children’s hospital, including a magnetic resonance imaging system, echocardiographic ultrasound systems, and a mobile X-ray machine, funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

“To date, contracts have been signed for equipment worth over €4.5 million, which is being delivered or is scheduled for delivery by June 30, 2026, and under a separate procedure, the signing of contracts for additional equipment worth approximately €1.2 million is expected,” the department added.