Health minister Katya Ivkova has asked UNICEF for help and international experience in building the National Children's Hospital.

She raised the issue at a meeting with Mio Nemoto, the new UNICEF representative in Bulgaria. Deputy minister Dr Nikolay Valov and experts from the ministry and UNICEF also attended.

Ivkova said the hospital is more than a new building. She sees it as a chance to create a new model of child healthcare that fits the needs of children and their families.

The two sides also discussed wider cooperation. Ivkova proposed a centre of excellence in child psychiatry. Whether UNICEF will take part in it has yet to be discussed with the Expert Council for the specialty.

The minister also raised the issue of home nursing visits. She wants each visit to have a set price, because she says this decides whether the service gets secure funding.

UNICEF said it is ready to help with technical knowledge and international experience.

The meeting also covered protecting children from violence, a safe digital environment and joint projects under the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.