site.btaUPDATED President Radev Launches 23rd Bulgarian Christmas Charity Campaign

President Rumen Radev opened the 23rd edition of the Bulgarian Christmas charity initiative at a formal ceremony at Aleksandrovska University Hospital in Sofia on Monday.

The event was opened by Hospital Director Prof. Atanas Yonkov, who highlighted the importance of the hospital and its Paediatrics Clinic for the development of child healthcare in Bulgaria. He recalled that Aleksandrovska Hospital, founded in 1879, is the country’s oldest university hospital, and that its Paediatrics Clinic, established in 1900, was Bulgaria’s first medical unit dedicated to children’s healthcare.

Marking the clinic’s 120th anniversary and its exceptional contribution to paediatric treatment and medical science, President Radev presented the Presidential Badge of Honour. The distinction was accepted by the current head of the clinic, Prof. Gergana Petrova, in the presence of Prof. Penka Perenovska, who led the unit from 2006 to 2022.

Radev also presented the results of the 22nd edition of the initiative. In 2025, the Bulgarian Christmas initiative operated with a budget of BGN 3,750,000, supporting 550 children with a total of BGN 1,700,000 for diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and medication. High-tech medical equipment was provided to 26 healthcare facilities across the country. He stressed that the initiative supports the health system but cannot replace it where structural deficits exist.

The President raised questions to the health authorities about why essential care for 550 children has to be secured through a donation campaign when the national health budget exceeds BGN 10 billion. He called for institutional solutions to ensure sustainability and timely support for all children in need.