Healthcare professionals are starting protests from December 10th in connection with the new draft laws for the state budget and the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund for 2026, announced the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals (BAHP).
The reason for the announced protests is the unfulfilled promises of the ruling authorities to healthcare professionals for an increase in the minimum wages of everyone in the sector and the possibility of public financing of outpatient healthcare. The new draft budgets of the state and the NHIF for 2026 do not include funds to achieve minimum starting salaries for healthcare professionals of 1550 euros.
"We want to work for our patients, and since no one will listen to us and after all these inexplicable situations in the country have happened, we are left with only one thing, to protest," said the chair of the Management Board of BAHP, Diana Georgieva, to journalists in Parliament. She emphasized that the protests are supported by explanatory materials for patients.
Diana Georgieva expressed the bitterness and disappointment of her colleagues, who expect decent pay. She pointed out that the protest covers a wide range of specialists, including nurses, midwives, rehabilitation therapists, x-ray and clinical laboratory technicians, orthopedic technicians, and visually impaired massage therapists.
Asked about possible strike actions, Georgieva replied that everything depends on the actions of the authorities and the changes that will be made in the budget.
Georgieva added that she is not familiar with the discussions about the increase in clinical pathways, as the Bulgarian Medical Association has not invited them to negotiate.