The Ministry of Health responds to reform proposals from a citizens' committee

The Ministry of Healthcare has initiated an official procedure to review proposals received from the National Health Protest "Future in Bulgaria". An expert team conducted an in-depth analysis of documents covering two main areas - financial issues and specialization procedures.

A key point in the statement is the position that medical professionals should receive fair compensation corresponding to the complexity and responsibility of their activities. At the same time, the ministry emphasizes its limited powers in determining wages, which are within the competence of the administrative leadership of individual medical facilities.

Regarding specializations, the ministry refers to the current Ordinance #1 from 2015, which regulates the modern order of training. An important precedent in this direction is a decision by the Supreme Administrative Court from 2014, which limits the powers of the health minister in determining the number of trainees.

The ordinance introduces a fundamentally new approach - specialization in clinical specialties is carried out through a fixed-term employment contract for full-time work. This mechanism protects the interests of trainees who have long insisted on such a form of training.

The competitive procedure for filling trainee positions includes comprehensive evaluation based on several criteria: - Average grade from studies and state exams - Grades in profile disciplines - Results from knowledge assessment - Additional skills and competencies

Training bases form an individual score by publishing detailed ranking rules. This approach ensures maximum transparency and objectivity in candidate selection.

The ministry emphasizes that centralized competitions would conflict with current labor legislation. State-funded specialization places are determined twice a year, with theoretical and practical training fees covered by the Ministry of Healthcare.

The only official invitation from the Initiative Committee is for participation in a Round Table on July 2, 2025, at the National Assembly, submitted on June 25, 2025.