site.btaCourt Suspends Fingerprint Authentication at Hospitals

Court Suspends Fingerprint Authentication at Hospitals

Sofia, November 22 (BTA) - The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) has suspended the operation of a fingerprint identification system at hospitals.

The system introduced by a regulation implementing the right to access to health care is designed to crack down on the misuse of health insurance contributions. It was to be introduced on October 1 but was put off by a month until all hospitals were equipped with electronic devices.

The ruling is appealable before a five-member SAC panel within seven days.

On Monday, Deputy Health Minister Vanyo Sharkov, who heads the National Health Insurance Fund's Supervisory Board, said the number of hospitalized patients had been smaller so far in November compared to the first two weeks of October. Sharkov explained that the Fund has to pay 15 million leva less for the first two weeks of November, adding that fingerprint recognition is effective.