site.btaWage Formation in Healthcare Is Not One-Way Process, Says Health Minister

The formation of wages in healthcare is not a one-way process, Health Minister Silvi Kirilov told journalists on Sunday in response to a question about a coming up protest by doctors demanding higher pay, scheduled for Monday, June 2.

First, there are hospitals and organizations that are secondary budget administrators, where funding is based on a "historical principle," Kirilov said about medical staff salaries. There are various hospitals under commercial law that are joint-stock companies, where salaries are determined by other rules and methods, he added. Last but not least is the remuneration of specializing doctors, Kirilov also noted.

According to him, steps have been taken to avoid imbalances. The minister added that in connection with the start of the procedure for preparing the next budget, proposals for measures have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

Future staff have an extremely important task - to master medical science theoretically. This is followed by practical training and then implementation, Kirilov added. They have the right to protest, he said. "We are open to discussion, but the financial resources are limited," he pointed out. There have been attempts at speculation, ignorance, or deliberate misrepresentation, the health minister also said regarding the debate on salaries in healthcare.

"I am always in favor of increasing wages, but under certain conditions," Silvi Kirilov added. The main thing is the quality of the treatment and diagnostic process, and to achieve that, wages are not the only condition, he said.