Social Workers Receive Diplomas for Dedicated Work, Role in Uncovering Unlicensed Nursing Homes

Dimitrina Solakova, Borislava Bibinovska

Award ceremony for social workers with an active role in the uncovery of unlicensed nursing homes, Sofia, July 11, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

11.07.2025 16:04

(BTA)

People in an extremely serious health condition, unclaimed by their relatives and with no desire to live - these are some of the cases that social workers encounter in unlicensed nursing homes for the elderly. Agency for Quality of Social Services (AQSS) Executive Director Viktoriya Tahova and the head of the Northeast department at the Agency, Hristina Panteva, told journalists about what they had seen at such homes. Both of them and their colleagues from AQSS and the Social Assistance Agency were awarded on Friday with diplomas by Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov for their active role in the uncovery of unlicensed nursing facilities and the subsequent placement of the elderly from those homes in social services in safe conditions.

Gutsanov said that the public needs to see the people who started checking unlicensed homes just over a month ago, which is why the Ministry initiated the ceremony to award them. Twelve unlicensed nursing homes have been detected thus far, and over 400 people have been removed from them. The inspections continue, the Social Policy Minister said.

Both Tahova and Panteva noted the good cooperation between the institutions in detecting unlicensed nursing homes. Gutsanov assured that the inspections continue and people work with dedication. He said that legislative changes to criminalize illegal homes and increase sanctions for violations should be submitted to the National Assembly soon. The Labour and Social Policy Ministry stands behind the work of the AQSS and the Social Assistance Agency.

Receiving the diploma, Social Assistance Agency Executive Director Ana Ananieva said she considers it a recognition of the work of each of the experts who have participated in the inspections so far and those who continue. "My real gratitude goes to my colleagues at the Social Assistance Agency for their humanity, understanding and empathy," she said. She added that Agency staff have worked to find a place to care for those who have been removed from unlicensed homes.

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