Bulgaria PM Announces Buffer Period for Failing Hospitals

Borisov was speaking after meeting with Directors of a large number of Bulgaria’s major hospitals regarding his center-right GERB government’s health reform plans. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria PM Boyko Borisov has stated that failing hospitals will get a 6 month or 1 year buffer period to improve.

Borisov was speaking after meeting with Directors of a large number of Bulgaria’s major hospitals regarding his center-right GERB government’s health reform plans. He said that the buffer period will apply to hospitals which don’t meet the criteria for ‘hospitals’, which are now emergency centers.

Borisov added that when hospitals run out of the money budgeted for them for 2010 the Bulgarian Parliament is ready to supply an extra BGN 300-400 from budget reserves for health services. "We do not endanger the lives of our citizens. I am satisfied with this meeting. We have an understanding," he continued.

"The goal of this reform is not to make savings. We are prepared to respond to what we expect as finished work. The point is to stop the cash leakage and maximize treatment for patients. We will listen to our partners," concluded Borisov.