On 14th November 2014, the Economic and Social Council (ESC) held a consultation in relation to the Council’s draft opinion on the “Healthcare in Bulgaria - problems and possible solutions”.
The meeting was led by the ESC Vice-President Prof. Neno Pavlov. Besides the ESC members the meeting was also attended by Dr. Rumyana Todorova, Governor of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and NHIF representatives, Bulgarian Medical Association, National Patients’ Organization, Municipal Hospitals Association, directors of hospitals, experts.
Dr. Ivan Kokalov, who is a rapporteur on the opinion, presented the main points of the act. In his words, the main aim of the ESC is to provoke serious public debate where to be presented the views of the civil society in term of the state, the problems and the prospects for change in the existing health system. Dr. Kokalov noted that the measures taken in the field of health insurance are not subject to a general concept that brings together the efforts of the country, employers and the nation for achieving a new attitude towards the health of people.
The proposals made by the ESC, aim at protecting the interests and ensuring the rights of the insured persons and the population as a whole, improving the financial situation and increasing the efficiency of the healthcare system. It is needed quality health services to be provided in accordance with the European standards. Also greater justice, equality and accessibility of insured persons to be guaranteed to quality medical care as well as to be ensured transparency and awareness of the society about the condition, the behavior and the results of the system functionality.
