site.btaE-Health System Fails to Launch in Ten Years - Audit Report

Sofia, July 28 (BTA) - The National Audit Office said on Friday it has audited the implementation of an e-health information system between January 1 2012 and June 30 2016.

Despite being a constant priority in all government programmes and national healthcare strategies, Bulgaria doesn't have an integrated healthcare information system which will provide necessary information to the healthcare administration and health services consumers. In addition Bulgaria is unable to meet its commitments in relation to the trans-border exchange of healthcare data.

The report places accountability to six healthcare ministers, five managers of the National Health Insurance Fund and six directors of the National Centre if Public Health and Analyses during the audited period. The implementation of the e-health system was carried out against of frequent structural and personnel changes both at the top level and the operational level. The audit report found a lack of an efficient system for coordination of activities, projects and procurement tenders between the institutions.

The development of the e-health system has been delayed and the actions of the intuitions have been deemed inefficient in the report.

Since 2012 several unsuccessful attempts have been launched to develop a national healthcare information system. However, procurement procedures have been suspended due to a number of issues including a lack of clear system concept and a plan for the necessary funding, and overlapping between of functions and projects of other institutions. Also, the Health Ministry failed to agree its activities with the National Health Insurance Fund as a key player in the healthcare information system.

Mo electronic health records and a national healthcare portal have been put in place.

The National Audit Office has addressed 20 recommendations to the Health Minister and seven recommendations to the NHIF head which have to be implemented by the end of 2018.