The state remains a big debtor to young doctors, Bulgarian children and families
Bulgaria lacks more than 3,000 obstetricians and neonatology and paediatrics are not attractive to young doctors
by Dr. Nikol Goranova and Dr. Dobromir Andreev
According to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), the number of people under 18 in Bulgaria as of 31 December 2021 is 1 188 803 (17.4% of the total population). Bulgaria is among the countries where the share of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion is significantly higher than the EU average.
There is no European or other developed country that does not face the challenges of an ageing population and low birth rates. According to Greek statistics, in the last year the growth rate has again been negative, with twice as many deaths as births. Hungary’s fertility rate is 1.61 births per woman in 2021, well below the government’s target of 2.1 births needed to grow the population by 2030, while Italy has recorded more than 12 deaths for every 7 births. We only mention EU countries similar in size and mentality. At the opposite pole are Denmark, Sweden and Luxembourg, where they devote the most public resources to stimulating families, as a percentage of GDP in the form of tax-free income for each child up to 18 or family benefits for education and maintenance. It makes sense that these countries would be attractive places for young families.
The budget deficit adopted yesterday is mainly made up of ‘social’ payments, but among these, direct birth promotion is negligible. In 2024, child benefit levels are expected to remain unchanged from 2023. However, the eligibility threshold for child allowances is increased to BGN 710 (income per family member) and for the first time since 2015, the allowances for children with TEC are increased, as well as the budget for social services. The one-off birth grant will increase by 50%, but it will be only BGN 375 for the first child. There is still a shortage of places in nurseries and kindergartens and prices for clinical pathways are very low compared to the EU average. Obviously, the state remains a big debtor to Bulgarian children and families. There are no foreign investors in our sector, and national private investors have only recently appeared.
Much has been written and said about maternal and child healthcare, by almost everyone, but only this year has one newly built clinic opened its doors. That’s why patients called it “the phenomenon.” Society and the state need to support the best – those with a real contribution and result, because without increasing the birth rate the demographic crisis will engulf us!
There is now one place in Bulgaria that is developing modern paediatric care and care with leading expertise to make them fully accessible to all. Here we prove every day that high technology, hygiene and precision standards are not a luxury, but a clinical necessity and a medical value. We at ‘Mama and I’ have already explained how and why we protect and fill the vault of our national wealth and future. We are also succeeding in convincing scores of young women to have a third child after we have delivered the second. ‘Aggressively’ encouraging high fertility rates regardless of social, educational, marital, property or any other status should be national policy and a long-term strategy.
