site.btaMedical Association Chair: Third of Bulgarian Physicians Over 60

Medical Association Chair: Third of Bulgarian Physicians Over 60

Sofia, September 29 (BTA) - One in three Bulgarian physicians are over the age of 60, while close to 55 per cent are over 55, Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) Chairman Dr Ventsislav Grozev told journalists here on Thursday. He took part in the 23rd Symposium of the Central and Eastern European Chambers of Physicians, hosted by his Association.

Just five per cent of physicians in Bulgaria are under 30. The ageing of physicians was one of the main topics discussed during the forum, together with migration among young specialists, the methods determining doctors' pay, relations between doctors and the media, among others.

The continuing migration of young specialists towards Western Europe is one of the main reasons for the ageing guild. A large part of them seek employment in England, Germany and France. According to BMA data, 350-400 doctors have been leaving Bulgaria annually over the past few years, which could lead to a collapse in the health care system, Grozev warned. He noted that there are settlements in Northwest Bulgaria and the Rhodope mountains, where there are no physicians present.

Among the reasons for leaving, stated by physicians, are the lack of career development opportunities, unclear rules and difficulties in specializing, inability to use new technologies in most health care establishments, except for university hospitals. The constantly changing and contradictory regulatory framework is also concerning, Grozev added. According to him, another reason given by medical professionals is the media's negative attitude towards doctors, consisting of legally unfounded allegations of guilt.

Physicians' right to a personal life is seriously violated. Currently, there is no possibility for a doctor to refuse treatment to a patient, which is something provided by the European ethics principles, in the US and many other countries, he noted.

The number of anesthesiologists is seriously declining, as well as pediatric surgeons, neonatologists, pediatricians, forensic medical examiners, among others.

There is a lack of interest in some specialties, due to the low pay for such work by the National Health Insurance Fund.