The medical center in Tsarevo has stopped taking NHIF-referral appointments for now, staff there told reporters. The reason is a new National Framework Contract that still needs to be signed.

The halt will last at least two weeks and applies across the whole country, not just Tsarevo.

"We will let people know as soon as NHIF appointments start again," the medical center said.

Anyone who needs a referral appointment will have to wait until the contract takes effect and health-fund appointments resume.