site.btaNurses Oppose Transfer of Creches to Education Ministry

The Bulgarian Association of Health Professionals in Nursing (BAHPN) on Friday circulated an open letter to the media opposing the transfer of creches to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Science. The shift has been proposed by Sofia Municipality in the form of draft amendments to the Health Act, including a replacement of nurses with teaching staff.

BAHPN warned that if the Education Ministry takes over the creches, the care for children aged under 2 would be eroded and the balance between physical and mental development would be upset. The professional association argued that replacing nurses at creches is neither adequate nor politically responsible to ensure children's health and development. "Nurses should be retained and attracted, not excluded," the organization stressed, noting that raising healthcare professionals' salaries to at least 150% of the national average could help address staff shortages. BAHPN also called for a comprehensive sector reform.

In late January, Sofia Municipality presented its strategy titled "Sofia - City of Children: The First 7," which envisages legislative revisions to integrate creches into the preschool education system under the Education Ministry and removing them from their status under the Ministry of Health.