The Council of Ministers adopted a key National Strategy for improving the accessibility and capacity of primary outpatient medical care in Bulgaria. With this move, the government officially launched an ambitious plan aimed at addressing some of the most serious problems in the country's healthcare system – the shortage of personnel and their uneven distribution across the country. The new strategy, along with its associated plan, will be in effect until 2027 and is part of the broader National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Main Goals and Measures
The news was announced at a special briefing by the Minister of Health, Silvi Kirilov, who outlined the main goals and measures set out in the document. Against the backdrop of worrying data about increasingly difficult access to medical care, especially in smaller towns and villages, the minister stated that the strategy aims to overcome the imbalance and ensure better healthcare for all Bulgarian citizens.
One of the main pillars of the strategy is the introduction of a number of incentives to attract and retain young professionals in the sector.
"We are introducing incentives for young people to choose professions in the sector,"Kirilov pointed out, emphasizing that conditions are being created for work even in the smallest towns and villages. Among the planned measures are providing support for general practitioners in remote areas, as well as opening new polyclinics to save residents of these places from having to travel
"dozens of kilometers for a doctor".
Plan for Local Policies
The strategy also provides for a comprehensive package of local policies that will be implemented at the municipal level. These include financial and household support for medical professionals who choose to work in smaller towns and villages. The examples given were:
- Opportunities for scholarships during training
- Providing housing
- Assistance in finding a job for a spouse
- Providing places in kindergarten and school for families with children
Additional incentives include improving financial conditions through additional pay, especially in the primary healthcare system. An important part of the plan is also the introduction of a new payment standard that will link remuneration to the qualifications of specialists, to ensure
"fairness and predictability in the system", Silvi Kirilov further informed.
Another key element of the new approach is the introduction of a single information system that will provide up-to-date, real-time data on the number, qualifications, and territorial distribution of personnel. According to the minister, this will enable
"informed decisions to be made and resources to be directed where the shortage is greatest".
In addition, the strategy provides for the establishment of consultative health and social units that will be aimed at the most vulnerable groups in society. They will serve as support for young mothers, families with children with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses and special needs, as well as for elderly people at risk of social exclusion. Minister Kirilov described this as
"a new model that will bring care closer to people and reduce the burden on the hospital system".
In conclusion, the Minister of Health expressed confidence that this strategy lays
"the foundations of a fairer and more balanced healthcare system". He added that the planned measures have the potential to
"restore people's trust and ensure a future for Bulgarian healthcare".