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Bulgarian healthcare administrative reform

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2026-09-03 15:28 UTC → 2026-09-06 10:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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