President Radev Addresses Graduating Class of Military Physicians

Metodi Yordanov, Konstantin Kostov, Nikoleta Vassileva

President Radev during the ceremony (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

05.10.2024 12:38

(BTA)

One of the main factors for the motivation and fighting spirit of people fighting on the frontline is precisely the availability of fast and reliable medical evacuation, as well as effective and adequate medical care and its provision in the immediate vicinity of the fighting, President Rumen Radev said in his address to the cadets of the Medical Support of the Armed Forces major from the class of 2024 - "Tsar Simeon the Great" of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, who received their first officer rank on Saturday at a ceremony at the Military Medical Academy in Sofia.

Thanked the Naval Academy and the Medical University (MU) in Varna for their responsibility. "No one imagined that seven years ago, when the European security architecture seemed unshakable, a full-scale war would be fought and thousands of people would die every day," the President said. He said these universities had the foresight to create a major that would increase the Bulgarian armed forces' medical capabilities.

Radev addressed the graduates, saying that today they assume a double responsibility - that of Bulgarian officers and that of physicians. "This responsibility will from now on be expressed every day in the health and lives of the people in the Army and your devotion to the homeland," the President added. He pointed out that the graduates accept the respected and noble mission of a military doctor, without which no army can hope for success. “You will not just provide medical care, but inspire confidence and calm in the greatest of trials,” Radev said.

This is the second class of military physicians who have completed a 6-year programme, organized by the Naval Acadmy, the Military Medical University and the Medical University in Varna.

The head of the Naval Academy, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov congratulated the cadets and pointed out that they are now facing one of the most important challenges - to take care of those who are called to defend the homeland.

"Military medicine requires not only professional skills, but also ethics, courage and deep personal commitment. You will be not only medics, but leaders who must make decisions under pressure. You will have to act quickly but also wisely, you will have to remain calm even in the most tense of moments," Admiral Mednikarov said.

He wished the cadets to be brave, true to themselves and to the mission they have chosen. "Wear the uniform and the white coat with honour, be proud of what you have achieved so far, build on yourselves, boldly step out of your comfort zone because we all know that comfort is the enemy of progress," Admiral Mednikarov added.

The head of the MMA and the chief physician of the Armed Forces, Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, also delivered a speech in which he wished the cadets to be brave and confident because "it is often fear that prevents us from jumping".

"You will face many trials, you will experience hardships, you will feel confused and at times discouraged, but remember though that obstacles are not barriers to success, but steps to it," Mutafciiski said.

The event was also attended by caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov and top brass.

/MY/