In a heated debate about the future children's hospital, the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silvi Kirilov, categorically rejected attempts at political manipulation surrounding the large-scale infrastructure project. During an emergency briefing, he emphasized that building the national medical facility is a key priority that should not be compromised by party disagreements.
A key moment in his statement was the presentation of an independent financial expertise prepared by the European Investment Bank and the international consortium IDOM. According to official data, the project's estimated value amounts to 382 million euros without VAT, with the sum covering the full investment package – including construction, equipment, and furnishings.
Minister Kirilov highlighted the project's historical context, reminding that the technical assistance agreement was signed during the government of Academician Denkov, with the participation of Executive Director Nikolay Borisov and Finance Minister Asen Vasilev. He emphatically stated that the project's implementation cannot be questioned due to the changing political agenda.
The Director of the Health Investment Company, Desislava Malinova, added technical details, announcing that the report with the estimated value was presented in early June 2025. Parallel to the expert assessment, the company has launched a market study, inviting design teams and independent experts to present indicative price proposals.
Malinova emphasized the project's uniqueness, highlighting the extensive parameters of the future hospital – over 40 specialties, 25 departments, 450 beds, and more than 100 day posts. According to forecasts, the medical facility will serve around 150,000 children annually, making it an extremely significant healthcare facility for the national pediatric system.
The key message from the Ministry of Health leadership is that the project should be viewed as a strategic investment in the future of Bulgarian pediatric healthcare, not as a field for political speculation.