Bulgarian Doctors Pay-Protest Expands

With doctors out on strike, patients will have to pay cash for treatment. Photo by BGNES

General practitioners from across the country are joining the strike, launched on Monday, over non-payment of fees by the federal health ministry and lack of reform plans.

Doctors from the capital Sofia, Pazardhik, Haskovo, Targovishte, Yambol, Shumen Razgrad, Dobrich went on strike on Tuesday and there are reports that Varna GPs may also leave their doctor’s cabinets for the day.

Bulgaria's National Association of General Practitioners said anyone requiring medical care should visit a hospital emergency department, but they would have to pay cash for treatment,

The Association addressed an open letter to all Bulgarian institutions and citizens with health insurance, in which they state that "the cup of patience is down to the last dregs".

They firmly stated that they do not want to constantly appeal to someone to receive the necessary treatment for patients and remuneration for their work as doctors.

The GPs further claim that, for the fourth month in a row, their association has been waiting for answers to questions they have raised about delayed payments from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and revisions to the Ordinance on Prophylactics.

The consequence of these delays is that Bulgarians over 18 will be denied comprehensive and operating screening for socially significant diseases, the medics claim.

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