site.btaNational Health Map Needs Update and Digitalization, Minister Ivkova Says

The National Health Map should be updated and digitalized so that it provides up-to-date information on healthcare needs across the country, Health Minister Katya Ivkova said on Friday during a visit to Silistra.

She noted that the current National Health Map was adopted in 2018 and needs to be updated in accordance with the procedure laid down in legislation. The aim, she said, is for the document not merely to provide a snapshot of the healthcare system, but to allow medical service needs to be monitored in real time.

"The National Health Map cannot remain a table, however detailed, that has not been changed for six years," Ivkova said. According to her, digitalization will enable more accurate planning of the medical services needed at regional and local level.

The Minister said work on updating the map is due to begin, adding that the adoption of the State Budget first had to be completed. Earlier on Friday, Parliament adopted the 2026 State Budget framework.

Talks are planned with national-level systems integrators on implementing the digitalization process. Ivkova added that up-to-date information on healthcare needs is essential for decisions concerning the development of the healthcare system and the allocation of resources.

Regarding the financing of public and private healthcare establishments, the Minister said the clinical pathway payment mechanism cannot differ because of European Union rules on free competition. She noted that public, municipal and private healthcare establishments may receive public funding under the current rules and may also have additional regulated sources of revenue.