site.btaChange in Financing of Medical Services Is Possible Solution to System's Problems - Minister Okoliyski

A change in the way medical services are financed is one of the possible solutions to the problems in the system, caretaker Health Minister Mihail Okoliyski said during the 13th NextGen Health National Health Forum, organized by Manager magazine. The forum brought together representatives from the leadership of the National Health Insurance Fund, professional organizations of doctors and pharmacists, hospitals, and others. In his words, priority should be given to outpatient care, with greater investment in disease prevention. Currently, nearly 80% of Bulgarians attend their preventive check-ups, whereas until recently this figure was only around 30%, Okoliyski added.

He also noted that he had inherited an unfinished procedure for screening programmes for cervical and colorectal cancer. There are many adopted decisions that are not evidence-based, missed opportunities, and a risk of losing hundreds of millions under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, he said, adding that the principles set out in the National Health Strategy are not being followed.

“If I had to diagnose the healthcare system, I would say it suffers from a personality disorder, with elements of psychopathy,” Okoliyski said.