Bulgarian doctors in symbolic protest
Bulgarian doctors across the country took part in a symbolic protest on May 15 2014, wearing ribbons and warning that a full protest could result by the end of the month if reforms are not carried out at the National Health Insurance Fund.
The Bulgarian doctors’ protest was part of a Europe-wide campaign for improved working conditions and more money for health care.
Medical colleges in Bulgaria joined the protest, demanding more money for health care, while nurses protested in support of the demand of their European counterparts for decent pay and the prevention of corruption.
The Bulgarian Medical Association said that health insurance funds were inadequate to guaranteeing access for Bulgarian citizens to quality medical care.
Doctors called on Bulgarians to support the protest, saying that the demands were not for the sake of the medical profession but to ensure that people had proper medical care.
Two-thirds of recent medical graduates in Bulgaria leave the country to work abroad for the sake of better pay, according to statistics quoted by Bulgarian National Radio.
(Photo: Paul Barker/sxc.hu)
