On bTV's show "Face to Face," Health Minister Katya Ivkova announced that debates are upcoming on a bill aimed at centralizing the procurement of not only medicines but also medical devices and equipment. The Minister emphasized that these are three key areas where significant public resources are spent. She clarified that the procedure is currently underway in the National Assembly, where discussions on the proposed changes are expected to take place.

Ivkova explained that the Centralized Automated Information System (CAIS), which was established some time ago, will be used for this purpose. It already contains functionalities, including those for dynamic purchasing systems. Currently, an active working group is working not only on the upcoming parliamentary debates but also on adapting these tools within CAIS. The goal is to ensure a fully objective and automated method for conducting tenders, which will guarantee transparency, accountability, and maximum efficiency, in order to avoid cases where the same medicine reaches healthcare facilities at different prices.

The Minister stated that the government's ambition is to build a National Children's Hospital by the end of its term. She specified that the plan includes not only constructing the building but also implementing all necessary supporting infrastructure and ensuring the qualified staff needed for the facility's operation. Earlier that same day, the first meeting of the Interdepartmental Coordination Council on the Children's Hospital was held.

Regarding the resignation of Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, Katya Ivkova confirmed that she has accepted his resignation. She pointed out that he has reached retirement age. She added that reports had been received regarding possible influence exerted by Assoc. Prof. Kunchev on a tender procedure for mosquito population control, which the Minister has already referred to the competent authorities. There are also suspicions of pressure being exerted on Ministry of Health employees when determining tender criteria, with the aim of favoring a specific contractor.

She also announced that she had discovered that Assoc. Prof. Kunchev held an employment contract with the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. The Minister stated that the role held by Assoc. Prof. Kunchev is key not only for state health control but also for the surveillance of infectious diseases. She said it was not her place to comment on whether having such an employment contract constitutes a conflict of interest, but noted that this fact must also be investigated. She added that the existence of this employment contract itself had deterred her from taking steps other than accepting his resignation. Although she did not mention a specific name, she answered affirmatively when asked if she had considered a candidate for his replacement. Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev will continue to hold his position until September 26.