site.btaGovernment Approves Goals, Steps in Health Care Reform

116 - POLITICS - GOVERNMENT - HEALTH CARE STRATEGY

Government Approves
Goals, Steps in Health
Care Reform


Sofia, February 18 (BTA) - The government approved Wednesday a
document that sets out the national goals and long-term
priorities in health care, and provides for key steps in the
health care reform. The document is entitled "Goals for Health
2020", said the government press office.

Based on an analysis of the health status of the population,
five key goals are identified: reducing infant mortality (0-1
years of age) to 6.8 per 1,000 births; reducing child mortality
(1-9 years of age) to 0.24 per 1,000; reducing mortality in the
10-19 age group to 0.28 per 1,000; improving the working
capacity and lowering the death rate in the economically active
group (20-65 years) to 4.19 per 1,000; increasing the average
life expectancy after 65 years to 16.4 years.

The following priorities are identified for achieving the goals:
ensuring the financial sustainability of the health system;
transforming the operation of the health care system to seek
quality and results rather than quantity; and creating a
supportive environment for specific and vulnerable population
groups, among others.

A key objective in Goals for Health 2020 is to ensure efficient
use of the available funding.

This will be achieved by regrouping the financial resources by
introducing one basic package of insurance-covered services
including prevention, diagnostication and treatment of principle
conditions causing death and debilitation, as well as child and
maternity health. An additional package, also covered by the
universal medical insurance, will be introduced to allow
planning of services through waiting lists and ensure equal
access for all to an emergency service funded by the Health
Ministry.

The document provides for setting in place a national health
information system which will be accessible by all patients
(through an electronic identifier). This information system will
provide the groundwork for the development of e-health care
with its key components: a personal health file, e-prescription,
e-referral and electronic portal. PK/LN/