site.btaParliament Obliges Health Minister to Take Measures to Counter Violence against Medics

Parliament on Thursday, by a vote of 145-0, obliged the Health Minister to take measures to prevent and counter violence against medical professionals. The proposal came from GERB-UDF. The measures must be taken within two months of the adoption of the resolution, and the health minister will have to take the necessary actions to organize and conduct training on a schedule for medics, directors, managers of medical institutions.

Within seven months, the Health Minister must submit to the National Assembly a report on the measures and actions taken and an account of the funds spent.

In order to monitor the problem at national level, it is envisaged that a specialized electronic system will be set up through which medical professionals can report cases of violence against them. On the basis of the data collected, high-risk areas will be identified so that additional protection measures can be put in place, including the provision of special panic buttons or similar devices that can be used by health professionals to immediately alert the Interior Ministry.