President Rumen Radev met with medical specialists

Healthcare is one of the main priorities of any prosperous country. The protest actions of medical professionals and the dissatisfaction of patients in Bulgaria show that the health model needs to be re-considered. This was stated by Bulgaria’s head of state Rumen Radev at a meeting with representatives of the initiative committee, which organizes protests throughout the country calling for urgent action to overcome inequalities in the healthcare system, the President’s press office said on 22^nd of April.

"We insisted on this meeting because we trust the presidential institution and expect moral support," the representatives of protesting nurses, paramedics, midwives and physiotherapists noted at the meeting. In their view, the current model of healthcare is not good because it places a major emphasis on active treatment, and in practice there is preventive care and rehabilitation.

"The health system has an interest in the Bulgarians being sick because the patients generate income", the medical specialists summarised their assessment of healthcare in Bulgaria.

They assured their protest actions are not only for higher wages, but also for changing the model so they would not be forced to leave the country, but would be able to take full care of Bulgarian patients. Medical professionals also shared the pressure on them by their employers because of their pro-active stance in protests.

"We also insist on changes to the Law on Professional Organisations that will regulate the right of representation for any group among medical professionals," the participants said.

According to Rumen Radev, it is necessary to place the people and their health at the centre of the healthcare system, not the profits from patients’ illnesses. The President has stated his support for the fair demands of medical professionals and undertook to help in solving problems within his powers.