Discrimination Commission Fines Ex Bulgaria Health Minister

Three of the patient groups for rare diseases lodged complaints to the Commission regarding the conduct of Zhelev in his former post. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The Bulgaria Commission for Protection against Discrimination has imposed a BGN 250 fine on former Health Minister Evgeni Zhelev.

Zhelev was fined Monday for his failure to make sure a life-saving and expensive medicine was provided to 30 people suffering from the rare disease - primary pulmonary hypertension.

Three of the patient groups for rare diseases lodged complaints to the Commission regarding the conduct of Zhelev in his former post.

Todor Mangarov, a representative of one of the groups stated: "This maintenance therapy costs in the range of BGN 2000 per month. There are 36 patients with pulmonary hypertension in Bulgaria. This fine should has a rather symbolic character, since he is a former minister. This is symbolic as it points out what work must be done by the new ministry.”