Bulgarian politician calls for Health Minister Katya Ivkova's resignation

Nikolay Denkov, leader of the parliamentary group for the 'We Continue the Change' party, has called for the resignation of Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova. Denkov stated that the time for experiments with citizens' health has ended, citing the minister's inability to provide adequate answers to fundamental issues.

Key criticisms leveled against the Ministry of Health include the lack of clarity regarding proposed healthcare reforms, which Denkov described as a series of changes with questionable goals and unconvincing arguments. Specific concerns were raised regarding the replacement of regional health inspections with structures under the Ministry, the failure to fulfill commitments to increase salaries for young doctors and nurses, and a budget discrepancy where hospital treatment funding in the National Health Insurance Fund is 5.5 times higher than funds allocated for prevention and prophylaxis.

Additionally, Denkov expressed alarm over a proposal to replace the requirement for higher education for pharmacy assistants with secondary vocational education, questioning the safety of such a move.