Bulgarian National Children’s Hospital construction

The Bulgarian government has taken steps to expedite the construction of the National Children’s Hospital by establishing an inter-agency coordination council. Led by Health Minister Katya Ivkova, this council includes various ministers and officials intended to optimize administrative processes and resolve obstacles to the project.

However, the project faces allegations of political interference. Desislava Malinova, the dismissed executive director of the Health Investment Company for Children’s Hospital (ZIKDB), has accused the Ministry of Health of stalling construction due to political interests and appointments. Malinova claims that the government’s assertions of “legal deadlock” and “wastefulness” are fabricated.

A Supreme Administrative Court ruling was expected on September 15 regarding these legal claims. Following the withdrawal of the legal appeal against the Commission for Protection of Competition’s decision regarding public procurement, Health Minister Katya Ivkova announced that the project has entered a new phase.

The new ZIKDB management has requested the termination of the current public procurement process following an internal audit and guidance from the Commission for Protection of Competition. This move aims to refine the project’s technical specifications and scope. A new working group, comprising experts and Public Council representatives, will be established to redefine project parameters using European Investment Bank reports. The objective is to complete the medical facility and infrastructure within the current mandate while planning for medical specialist recruitment.