Bulgaria launches nationwide healthcare inspections after Plovdiv fraud discovery

healthcare fraud fictitious hospitalizations Bulgaria medical inspections medical fund embezzlement clinical trial manipulation

Bulgaria's Ministry of Health has launched nationwide inspections across all 28 regions following the discovery of massive fraud at UMBAL ‘St. George’ in Plovdiv. The investigation was triggered by evidence of fictitious hospitalizations, where 15 patients were recorded as being in inpatient care despite not being physically present in the hospital. According to Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev, these 15 phantom patients cost the state 7,500 euros per day.

Beyond fictitious admissions, authorities have uncovered several other systemic irregularities. These include the manipulation of clinical trial results for medications, the diversion of expensive drugs to secondary markets abroad, and the potential misuse of medical documentation related to sick leaves and TELK disability decisions. The Ministry of Health, alongside the Executive Agency for Medical Supervision and the Bulgarian Drug Agency, will focus on the traceability and storage of high-cost therapies.

Minister of Health Katya Ivkova stated that the inspections aim to ensure patient safety and the lawful expenditure of public funds. The Ministry will also collaborate with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to cross-reference data and identify further instances of improper reporting. Officials expressed concern that these fraudulent practices, which may have been occurring for years, pose a direct threat to the lives of citizens and cause significant damage to the national budget.

Entities

Executive Agency Medical Supervision · Ivan Demerdzhiev · Katya Ivkova · Ministry of Health · National Health Insurance Fund · St. George University Hospital · UMBAL St. George

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The 15 fictitious patients in Plovdiv cost the state 7,500 euros per day. euronews.bg · telenews.bg · www.burgas24.bg · www.iskra.bg · plovdivnow.bg · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] In Plovdiv, 15 individuals were reported as hospitalized but were not physically present in the facility. euronews.bg · telenews.bg · www.burgas24.bg · www.iskra.bg · plovdivnow.bg · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Investigations revealed manipulation of clinical trial results for medications. euronews.bg · telenews.bg · www.burgas24.bg · www.iskra.bg · plovdivnow.bg · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Authorities are investigating fraudulent TELK disability decisions and sick leaves. telenews.bg · www.iskra.bg · www.plovdiv24.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] One clinic in Plovdiv reported approximately 24,000 clinical pathways over three years. www.lexmedicanews.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health is launching inspections in medical facilities across all 28 regions of Bulgaria. euronews.bg · www.moreto.net · www.regnews.net · ruse.news · varnanews.net · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Expensive medications were being diverted to a secondary market abroad. euronews.bg · telenews.bg · www.iskra.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] The investigation into the Plovdiv hospital case will look back five years. euronews.bg · www.plovdiv24.bg