site.btaHealth Minister: Healthcare System Does Not Rely on Young Doctors, It Relies on Those Who Were Medical Residents 15 Years Ago

Health Minister Silvi Kirilov told reporters on Tuesday that "the Bulgarian healthcare system does not rely on young doctors," but on those who were residents [a physician who has graduated from medical school but is undergoing further supervised, specialized training in a chosen medical field] 15 years ago. He attended the opening of the renovated Paediatric Orthopaedic Clinic at the Prof. Boycho Specialized Hospital for Active Orthopaedic Treatment.

Later on Tuesday, young medical professionals protested before the Health Ministry demanding decent salaries. The called for the salaries of doctors without a specialty to be increased to 150% of the average wage in the country.

“Young doctors have their responsibilities, ambitions. Training does not follow the law of communicating vessels - it requires academic supervisors, practical training is necessary, as well as theoretical preparation and the accumulation of specific experience which, after three, four, or five years, should reach a level that allows for independent practice and decision-making,” he said.

“Whether the deadline of January 1, 2026, to increase their salaries will be met - maybe they will want the sun to rise in the west, but I cannot make that happen. It is the same with finances. The Ministry of Health is not a financial institution,” he added. “We receive our budget from the Finance Ministry according to specific allocations. Last year, we submitted our proposals for the budget for the following year,” Kirilov pointed out.