Bulgaria Ministry of Health proposes unified National Emergency Medical Aid Center

The Bulgarian Ministry of Health has released three draft projects for public discussion aimed at restructuring the national healthcare system. A primary proposal involves merging 27 regional emergency medical aid centers, the Air Emergency Medical Aid Center, and the Prof. Dr. Milan Milanov National Center for Training and Qualification into a single National Emergency Medical Aid Center by January 1, 2027.

The restructuring aims to reduce the number of independent legal entities from 29 to one, thereby limiting duplicate administrative functions. While the plan involves cutting 280 administrative positions, officials noted that some roles are currently vacant and the total number of staff dismissals may be lower. The ministry stated that the freed financial resources should be redirected toward core medical activities.

Other proposed changes include restructuring transfusion hematology centers and merging the national centers for public health and radiation protection. Under the plan, employees will maintain their seniority and unused paid leave, though unused leave will not be compensated monetarily during the transition.