# Bulgarian healthcare administrative reform > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-healthcare-administrative-reform > Updated: 2026-09-06T09:13:12.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 7. The Bulgarian Ministry of Health, led by Minister Katya Ivkova, has introduced draft amendments to the Health Act aimed at a large-scale reorganization of the national healthcare system. The plan seeks to optimize administrative structures by transforming Regional Health Inspectorates into territorial directorates, integrating the National Center for Public Health and Analyses, and merging two national health centers. The proposal also includes consolidating medical expertise files and creating a unified electronic register for healthcare facilities. A key component of the reorganization involves a reduction of 440 staff positions, including 200 within emergency services. The project is currently undergoing a 14-day public consultation period, scheduled to end on September 17, 2026, with a target implementation date of January 1, 2027. The reform faces significant political and civil opposition. The Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group, represented by Katya Paneva, has announced it will not support the reform in its current form, citing risks of “excessive centralization of power” in the hands of the Minister, potential administrative chaos in the regions, and weakened health oversight. Simultaneously, five prominent patient organizations, including the National Alliance for People with Rare Diseases – Bulgaria, have called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Minister Ivkova. These groups argue that reforms must address the entire patient journey rather than being treated as mere administrative steps. They have identified critical debate topics including the future of the NCPMRP, persistent medicine shortages, and the work of Territorial Expert Medical Commissions (TELK). Minister Ivkova has further clarified that the reform aims to streamline the Ministry and its 97 secondary budget managers to eliminate duplicate functions and unify information systems. A new system to assess medical care quality is being developed, with full operational capacity targeted for early 2027. ## Claims - Five patient organizations have requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Health Minister Katya Ivkova. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Reforms should be evaluated based on the entire patient journey, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The future of the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products is a key debate topic. (corroborated by 3 sources) - There are ongoing issues regarding medicine shortages and the need for sustainable tracking mechanisms. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Proposed reforms include changes to regional health inspections, emergency medical services, and the work of Territorial Expert Medical Commissions (TELK). (corroborated by 3 sources) - The organizations demand a separate discussion regarding the healthcare budget. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Bulgarian Health Minister announces healthcare administrative reforms Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova announced administrative reforms to unify healthcare systems and a new medical quality assessment system set for 2027. The Ministry is also reclaiming control over the stł 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-health-minister-announces-healthcare-administrative-reforms ### 2026-09-03: Bulgarian Ministry of Health proposes major healthcare reorganization Bulgaria's Ministry of Health has proposed a major healthcare reorganization involving staff cuts and structural changes, facing opposition from Democratic Bulgaria over centralization risks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-ministry-of-health-proposes-major-healthcare-reorganization ### 2026-08-31: Bulgarian patient groups demand urgent meeting on healthcare reforms Five Bulgarian patient organizations are demanding an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Health Minister Katya Ivkova to discuss healthcare reforms, medicine shortages, and budget issues. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-patient-groups-demand-urgent-meeting-on-healthcare-reforms ### 2026-08-26: Bulgarian emergency medics threaten protest over healthcare reform Bulgarian emergency medical workers are threatening protests against a Ministry of Health plan to centralize emergency services into a National Center, citing risks of system collapse. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-emergency-medics-threaten-protest-over-healthcare-reform ### 2026-08-21: Bulgaria announces healthcare administrative reform Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova announced an administrative reform to integrate regional health inspectorates into the Ministry of Health and unify emergency medical services. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-announces-healthcare-administrative-reform ### 2026-08-10: Bulgarian Ministry of Health proposes major administrative reforms Bulgaria's Ministry of Health proposes merging 28 regional health inspectorates and dissolving the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement, sparking warnings of delayed drug access from patient groups. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-ministry-of-health-proposes-major-administrative-reforms ### 2026-08-05: Bulgaria's Health Ministry says state health control reforms will not close existing facilities Bulgaria's Health Ministry says the state health control reform will keep all existing structures, preserve specialist functions, and introduce three main directorates to streamline administration. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-health-ministry-says-state-health-control-reforms-will-not-close-existing-facilities --- Cite as: Bulgarian healthcare administrative reform. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-healthcare-administrative-reform