site.btaStaff at Pirogov Hospital Demand Secure Working Environment, Invite Health Minister

Staff at the Pirogov emergency hospital urge for normal working conditions in a secure and adequate working environment. This is stated in a declaration by the Medical Council of the hospital, backed by the Council for Medical Care and other workers at the hospital. The declaration, adopted at Wednesday's meeting of the Medical Council, has been sent to the Prime Minister, the National Assembly chairman and the Health Minister. They invite Health Minister Hristo Hinkov to visit the hospital and meet with the Medical Council, the Council for Healthcare and the workers at the hospital.  

During the meeting the Pirogov leadership reported on the state of the hospital, according to which the hospital is making a profit and is developing successfully, the declaration says.

The document raises questions in connection with the replacement of the hospital director and the status of Pirogov, which has been at issue for more than 15 years. "We strongly disagree to learning about changes to the leadership from the media. The 2,500-strong staff deserve to be notified by representatives of the Health Ministry," the declaration says.

Earlier on Wednesday, after the regular cabinet meeting, Health Minister Hristo Hinkov said that he stands by his decision to replace the director of Pirogov. Pirogov director Valentin Dimitrov was dismissed over identified irregularities at the hospital and public tension following a competition for head of hospital departments, according to the Health Ministry.