The Healthcare System: Aging Doctors and Trainee Salaries

The country's healthcare system relies on doctors who completed their specialization 15 years ago, not on newly graduated residents. This was stated by the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov, to media representatives. He attended the opening of the renovated Clinic of Pediatric Orthopedics at the Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Orthopedics "Prof. Boycho Boychev".

Speaking to journalists, Minister Kirilov commented on the possibilities for increasing the salaries of residents. When asked whether he preferred an increase through the Collective Labor Agreement or as a percentage of the average gross salary, the minister emphasized his support for raising the labor incomes of all participants in the healthcare system.

Minister Kirilov explained that the system currently relies on doctors who were residents 15 years ago. In response to a question about the increase in salaries for young doctors, provided for in the budget proposals for the coming year, the minister noted that "the Bulgarian healthcare system does not rely on young doctors". According to him, young doctors have their obligations, ambitions, and a period of training, which includes both scientific supervisors and practical and theoretical training, in order to accumulate the necessary experience. Training is a process that takes time to reach a level of independence and the ability to make independent decisions after a certain period.

Regarding the observance of the deadline of January 1, 2026, for the increase in salaries, the minister expressed skepticism, comparing the situation to unrealistic wishes. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is not a financial ministry, Minister Kirilov emphasized. It has a certain budget and structures for which it is responsible, such as secondary budget holders, state psychiatric hospitals, and others. In this regard, measures have been taken, and the wishes have been registered with the Ministry of Finance. The MoH has submitted its budget proposals and is actively participating in discussions, defending its arguments and proposals. As an example, the minister pointed to transfusion hematology centers, where there are disproportions that the MoH is striving to eliminate. The ministry's task is, with its policy, not to strengthen the disproportions accumulated over decades in the system. He emphasized the continuous contact with the Ministry of Finance and the defense of the figures provided. The MoH is not a financial body, but receives a budget from the Ministry of Finance under certain items, and has already submitted its budget proposals for the coming year.

At the same time, medical students and resident doctors have planned another protest later today. This is another event following a series of protests during the summer, in which demands were made for an increase in remuneration, higher pay for night work, and transparency in specialization competitions. After these protests, meetings were organized with Minister Kirilov and members of the parliamentary health commission. The MoH made proposals for changes in the regulation on specializations, and the health commission passed a general bill for changes in the Law on Medical Establishments in the first reading. The bill is to be discussed in a second reading during a meeting of the commission tomorrow.