site.btaOutgoing Health Minister: Ministry Tried to Reinstate Statehood, Impose Clear Rules

Outgoing Health Minister: Ministry Tried to Reinstate Statehood, Impose Clear Rules

Sofia, January 26 (BTA) - The team of the Health Ministry prioritized the reinstatement of statehood and the introduction of clear rules and control mechanisms, outgoing Health Minister Peter Moskov told journalists on Thursday. He reported on the activities of his ministry during its two years in office. He said that the Ministry changed the model from business-oriented to patient-oriented.

Moskov catalogued the activities in e-healthcare, hospital and outpatient care, emergency care, medicine policy and human resources development.

He recalled changes to secondary legislation which obliged suppliers to offer the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) discounts from the prices of medicines. He said that in 2014 the discounts amounted to 2.5 million leva, while in 2017 discounts are expected to exceed 130 million leva. Moskov noted an agreement concluded with Romania for the joint contracting of discounts for expensive drugs.

Moskov noted the higher payments for staff in emergency care, the greater number of doctors working in emergency centres, paramedic training, and the renovation and refurbishment of emergency centres.

In hospital and outpatient care Moskov reported an increase of funds and activities and capital expenditures allocations. According to him, the debts of state-run hospitals total 411 million leva, of which 150 million leva are in back payments.
Moskov elaborated on the accomplishments of the Health Ministry in human resources development, the national prevention programmes as well as maternal and child care. He said that some hospitals now have a full array of equipment for cancer treatment.

Moskov said that a methodology for the pricing of medical services has not yet been completed but that it was in the final stretch.