The Bulgarian Medical Association demands the immediate commencement of negotiations between the BMA and the NHIF, the urgent signing of an Annex to the National Framework Agreement, and an update of the prices of all medical activities by a minimum of 25%. This was reported by the professional organization. <\/p>\n\n
The Bulgarian healthcare system faces a real risk of collapse due to deepening financial problems and chronic underfunding. This was stated by the Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, during a press conference held today at the headquarters of the professional organization. <\/p>\n\n
According to him, healthcare costs have increased by approximately 85% in recent years, while the prices of medical activities remain frozen at 2024 levels for the second consecutive year. “This imbalance is unsustainable, and the system can no longer function normally under these conditions,” Dr. Branzalov emphasized. <\/p>\n\n
At the press conference, it was clearly stated that the entire system stands behind these demands\u2014representatives of the Bulgarian Hospital Association, the National Association of Regional Multi-Profile Hospitals for Active Treatment, the Association of University Hospitals, the National Association of Private Hospitals, as well as outpatient care. Support has also been received from the Regional Branches of the BMA across the country. <\/p>\n\n
The professional organization stated that they receive daily reports of serious financial difficulties, the inability to cover costs, and risks to the normal functioning of both hospitals and outpatient care.<\/p>\n\n
The Chairman of the BMA, Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, was adamant that accusations of “political demands” effectively block the possibility of dialogue:<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThe dialogue was closed with the accusation of political demands. We are not setting political conditions\u2014we are signaling a real problem that requires an immediate solution.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
The Deputy Chairman of the BMA, Dr. Ivan Madzharov, added:<\/p>\n\n
\u201cWe are not claiming that the problems started yesterday, but there were expectations for a new budget at the beginning of the year, which did not happen. With this declaration from the National Council, we are trying to draw the attention of those currently responsible to the fact that there is a problem,\u201d stated Dr. Madzharov. <\/p>\n\n
The Deputy Chairman of the BMA emphasized that there are specific opportunities for action right now and recalled how caretaker ministers of health, such as Dr. Ilko Semerdzhiev and Dr. Assen Medzhidiev, have intervened in critical situations. A caretaker minister can correct a mistake of the previous government, for example, by restoring the amount of the reduced user fee in hospitals, thereby increasing the income of medical facilities. Furthermore, a proposal to amend the extension law can be submitted to Parliament. <\/p>\n\n
According to Dr. Krasimir Grudev from the National Association of Private Hospitals, the refrain that there is no money for healthcare does not seem realistic, because since the beginning of this year, there has been a new increased minimum wage.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cBulgarian citizens have paid their health insurance, as have employers, and at the same time, hospitals are struggling and are forced to burden patients, who have been loyal to the healthcare system, with additional costs,\u201d stated Dr. Tsvetelina Spiridonova, Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian Hospital Association.<\/p>\n\n
Dr. Gergana Nikolova, Deputy Chair of the NASGP, expressed the position of the National Association of General Practitioners:<\/p>\n\n
\u201cWith full awareness of the difficult situation in the country at the moment, we believe that all existing possibilities must be used categorically to finance medical activities and that they should be indexed within a short period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
The Chairman of the BMA informed the media that, despite claims that there is no money in the system, the Minister of Health has issued an order to change two regulations that will have a financial impact on the NHIF budget.<\/p>\n\n
Dr. Branzalov further pointed out that in Bulgaria, healthcare is provided with about \u20ac1,000 per person per year, compared to an average of about \u20ac3,000 for the European Union, while in countries like Austria, public funding is many times higher.<\/p>\n\n
The Bulgarian Medical Association and representatives of the entire system warn: without urgent measures, healthcare will continue to destabilize, and the consequences will be directly felt by patients across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Bulgarian Medical Association demands the immediate commencement of negotiations between the BMA and the NHIF, the urgent signing of an Annex to the National Framework Agreement, and an update of the prices of all medical activities by a minimum of 25%. This was reported by the professional organization. The Bulgarian healthcare system faces a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jet_sm_ready_style":"","_jet_sm_style":"","_jet_sm_controls_values":"","_jet_sm_fonts_collection":"","_jet_sm_fonts_links":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[96],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n