site.btaPrime Minister Sees No Conflict in Public Health System

Prime Minister Sees No Conflict in Public Health System

Sandanski, Southwestern Bulgaria, April 7 (BTA) - Commenting on physicians' protests, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Thursday that there is actually no conflict in the public health system. "No one is talking about money this time, no one is talking about insurmountable obstacles," Borissov said. "They just need to communicate more."

He noted that the enhanced control which has to be enforced as part of the healthcare reform has caused fear. He recalled that a year and a half ago, before the elections, all political parties agreed that there was poor accountability in the public health system. The incomes of medical professionals can be increased after hospital fraud is curbed, Borissov suggested. As evidence of fraud, he pointed to the fact that last year the government gave the National Health Insurance Fund over 450 million leva in additional funding, but this did not have any tangible effect on patients.

Discussing Health Minister Peter Moskov's proposal to introduce fingerprint identification in hospitals, Borissov noted that the method has been used successfully in the National Assembly, where it helped abolish the practice of voting with another's card. "From now on, everything is in the hands of Minister Moskov, and I hope he can explain each of his actions and ordinances," the Prime Minister said. He added that Moskov is an open-minded man, which was evidenced by his recent success in reaching agreement with protesting general practitioners.

On the occasion of the professional holiday of medical workers (April 7), Borissov wished all doctors, nurses, paramedics and their patients to be in good health.

The Prime Minister was in Sandanski to unveil an archaeological park which will function as a tourist attraction.