site.btaHealth Ministry, WHO Discuss Improving Mental Health Services in Bulgaria

Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) discussed ways to improve mental health services in Bulgaria, the press centre of the Ministry said. Deputy Health Minister Mihail Okoliyski held a working meeting with representatives of the WHO, led by the Regional Adviser for Mental Health at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Dr. Ledia Lazeri.

The two sides agreed that within the framework of their two-year cooperation agreement for the 2024-2025 period  the provision of support should continue in order to improve the quality of the services provided by the mental health system in Bulgaria, indicated the Ministry of Health. The agreement between the Ministry of Health and the WHO is yet to be signed.

Okoliyski presented information on progress at the national level in this area, highlighting the achieved increase in activities, paid for by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), added the Ministry of Health.

As first steps to build on the partnership, Lazeri pointed to opportunities for support from the WHO Regional Office for Europe. These include delivering mental health training to build the capacity of GPs and health professionals for early diagnosis, sharing tools for the provision of psychiatric services, as well as guidance on mental health legislation and new funding opportunities for psychiatric care, the Ministry of Health also said. The activities will be part of an agreement concluded between the regional office of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Commission.

In September last year, the Ministry of Health said that efforts were being made to strengthen cooperation with the WHO in the field of disease prevention and health promotion in Bulgaria. The talks were attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health and the WHO Representative and Head of WHO Country Office in Bulgaria WHO Regional Office for Europe, Haris Hajrulahovic.