site.btaUPDATED Cabinet Establishes Interinstitutional Coordination Council on Construction of National Children's Hospital

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution establishing the Interministerial Coordination Council on matters related to the National Children’s Hospital.

The Interministerial Coordination Council is an advisory body to the Council of Ministers tasked with coordinating activities within the executive branch, as well as cooperation with other state bodies and local government authorities in determining and implementing state policy for the National Children’s Hospital, which is a project of national importance and a government priority, the Council of Ministers said in a press release. The Council will be chaired by the Health Minister and will ensure continuous, high-level coordination on matters related to the National Children’s Hospital, eliminating cumbersome and slow interministerial procedures.

As the National Children’s Hospital project falls within the remit of numerous ministries and other institutions, ranging from healthcare standards and urban planning procedures to funding, digital infrastructure, transport and environmental impact, the Council will serve as a coordination hub for rapid decision-making in one place, preventing administrative delays in the implementation of the project, the Council of Ministers said.

Attending the meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev commented on the Interinstitutional Coordination Council, saying that: "[It will be established] to make up for the drastic delays over the years and create a much more efficient, coordinated and accountable process that safeguards the public interest."

At the end of July, the Prime Minister said that they would build the children's hospital as quickly as possible because it was a national priority for them.

The procedure for the design and exercise of copyright supervision for the children's hospital was published in March this year and was subsequently challenged. The Commission for Protection of Competition then ruled that the complainant's appeal was justified, following which, in June, the management of the Health Investment Company filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court.