site.btaHealth Minister Hinkov: I Will Fight for Emergency Aid Money to Be Increased by 15% - 20% in 2024 Budget

For the 2024 state budget, I will be fighting for the Emergency Aid money to be really seriously, substantially increased, said Minister of Health Prof. Hristo Hinkov on Monday and added that it is good to increase the funds by 15% - 20% "to have a reform in line with the realities of developed countries, such as France, Germany, Great Britain, the United States". He expressed his belief that in order for the paramedic system to be truly developed, firefighters need to be included in it.

"We are inheriting a system that commits doctors trained to treat long-term to deal with emergencies," Hinkov said, explaining that doctors then have no feedback on whether they were right with the diagnosis they made. "There are not enough people and that is because young doctors are not being retained," Hinkov stressed. In his words, the specialty itself is not very attractive and differs from the medical profession, which is an art. "The reform there is yet to come and I hope there will be people after me who will continue it," the Minister said.

Asked if he is ready to solve the problem of the protesters in the "Emergency aid" Hristo Hinkov replied that no increases are foreseen in this budget. "What I can do by the end of the year is to recategorize them," he explained, adding that if their labour becomes first category, they will be able to ask for more money in 2024.