site.btaHealth Minister Commits to Introducing Palliative Care Standard

Caretaker Health Minister Mihail Okoliyski committed to doing his utmost to develop and introduce a standard for palliative care, the Health Ministry said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Okoliyski was a guest at an event at the British Embassy dedicated to palliative care and organized by British Ambassador Nathaniel Copsey.

The minister said joint efforts are needed by institutions, the medical community, the non-governmental sector and international partners. Through partnerships, exchange of expertise and open dialogue, a solid foundation for palliative care in Bulgaria can be established, he added.

Okoliyski also noted the need for consistent policies, training of qualified specialists, development of services and their integration into a comprehensive system of social and healthcare activities.

According to data from the Ida Foundation, between 5,000 and 8,000 children in Bulgaria need palliative care.