Bulgaria to increase healthcare budget by 500 million euros

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the 2027 state budget will include approximately 500 million euros more for healthcare. Speaking at the 16th edition of the 'Doctors We Trust' forum in Sofia, Radev stated that these funds are earmarked for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the National Children's Hospital, and increased salaries and improved working conditions for young doctors.

The Prime Minister emphasized a strategic shift toward disease prevention and prophylaxis to reduce the long-term burden on the hospital system. He also addressed the need for increased oversight regarding the Territorial Expert Medical Commissions (TELK), noting that the number of citizens with TELK decisions has reached 880,000. Radev promised more comprehensive inspections and investments in digitalization to eliminate potential abuses involving medical decisions, clinical pathways, and medications.

Despite these budgetary promises, the forum took place amid protests by young medical professionals demanding the fulfillment of previous election promises, including the creation of a functional portal for medical specializations and electronic books for trainees.