site.btaUPDATED BTA Director General: "Europeans Should Not Lose Sight of Europe of the Non-Material World"

Addressing a forum on innovation and health care organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in the northern town of Pleven on Friday, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said: "The Europeans should not lose sight of Europe of the non-material world." The event is part of BTA's Bulgarian Voices for Europe Initiative held with the European Parliament's support.

Valchev said the debate on health care focused on enhancing the rights of patients seeking treatment abroad, while the COVID pandemic faced the EU with the difficulties of pursuing a single health care policy.

"While the Europeans were staying at home during the pandemic, they had the time to look into their souls, not just to focus on their bodies," said Valchev. "It would be wrong to present the idea of our life in united Europe in a consumerist way as if the only thing that can motivate European citizens is their personal material interest."

"We are paying for Russia's war in Ukraine. The money paid for Russian natural gas also pays for Russian weapons and the big issue is what privations are Europeans ready to endure - to live in the cold and dark so as to couple values with practical actions," Valchev added.

The discussion was held in hybrid format and was streamed live on BTA's Facebook page.

Dr Stanimir Hasardzhiev, chairperson of the National Patients' Organisation (NPO), said a common European standard in healthcare is essential to ensure that all European citizens, regardless of their place of birth and economic situation, have access to quality healthcare. He stressed the need to invest in innovative and modern forms of prehospital care, centres that are fully tailored to the needs of the community.

Hristo Dochev, secretary general of the Medical University of Pleven, stressed in his speech the need for reform in the payment of young doctors, who start at very low salaries in some health facilities.

Martin Mitev, administrative director of the Heart and Brain Center of Clinical Excellence in Pleven, focused on reducing the regulatory burden by the state in the health system.

Dr. Penka Stefanova, director of the Regional Health Insurance Fund in Pleven, drew attention to the fact that prehospital care should be strengthened and basic medical services should be available to the population.

Slavi Mihailov, chairman of the National Association of Orphans in Bulgaria (NSSB), made a proposal to introduce mandatory dental examinations for children.

The next conference, organized by BTA within the initiative "Bulgarian Voices for Europe", will be held in Kyustendil on March 2 and will focus on the voice of the young.