site.btaBulgaria Experiencing Critical Shortage of Doctors in Certain Specialties and Nurses

The situation with the shortage of doctors in certain specialties and nurses in Bulgaria is critically serious and it is necessary to quickly identify measures and implement them, MP Dzhevdet Chakarov (MRF) said during debates in the National Assembly on Friday.

He noted that according to the Bulgarian Medical Association, more than 60 per cent of doctors are over 50, and one in three nurses is retired. There is over-specialization in certain specialties and an acute shortage of others, and according to a study by the Medical University in Sofia, 60 per cent of medical graduates are ready to leave the country, 30 per cent of them immediately after graduation.

Ivaylo Hristov, MP of TISP commented that the problem is not based on specialization, but on lack of money and career development.

The chairman of the Health Committee in Parliament, Assoc. Prof. Anton Tonev, pointed out that the financial aspect is important, but the opening of the system is even more important - young doctors should be able to work from the first days of specialization.

Minister of Health Asena Serbezova, to whom Chakarov addressed the question, noted that the State can create conditions, but cannot create all the necessary conditions. The role of the head of the medical institution for ensuring fair pay is also important, the Minister commented.

Parliament unanimously decided to give the Minister of Health three months to present to the National Assembly specific measures with specific deadlines for overcoming the shortage of doctors in certain specialties and nurses, and for retaining young doctors and nurses in Bulgaria. 

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Prime Minister Kiril Petkov held meetings with representatives of trade unions and professional organizations in the Healthcare sector, the government's press service announced.

The Prime Minister stressed the government's determination to apply the 1:20 ratio between the lowest and highest public-funded salaries of medical professionals in hospitals.

"We can buy any equipment, but if we do not have staff, the healthcare system cannot function," Petkov was adamant.

The meeting discussed the possibilities for stimulating the income of those working in the health system, including nurses, doctors, etc., which can be realized by increasing the prices of medical services. Policies were discussed to encourage more Bulgarian citizens to choose the profession of nurse and thus allow the system to cope with the shortage of staff. The talks also focused on changes in the education system to accelerate the influx of new staff into the sector.