PM Donev met with WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge

Caretaker Prime Minister, Galab Donev, on November 7, held a meeting with the Regional Director of the World Health Organization for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge. They exchanged views on current issues in the field of health in the European region. The excellent cooperation between Bulgaria and the World Health Organization was confirmed.

Prime Minister Galab Donev praised the efforts of the organization to address the health challenges in the region in the complicating environment as a result of the military actions in Ukraine and the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.

The caretaker Prime Minister also noted the activities of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to strengthen health security in the European region and to support the countries of the Western Balkans. At the meeting, concern was expressed about the challenges to health security in the region, following the military conflict in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Europe. The Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister was adamant on the need to ensure unimpeded access of humanitarian and medical personnel to those affected and in need.

"The refugee crisis caused by the military conflict in Ukraine is emerging as a serious challenge for the countries in the region hosting migrants, such as Bulgaria. All refugees in our country who have been granted temporary protection status have access to medical care, work, education, accommodation and social assistance on an equal footing with those provided to Bulgarian citizens," the caretaker Prime Minister stressed.

Donev pointed out that immediately after the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine, Bulgaria provided medicines and medical supplies of urgent need as humanitarian aid in solidarity with those in need.

Bulgaria's candidacy for membership in the Executive Board of the World Health Organization was also the focus of the conversation between the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the WHO Regional Director for Europe. They both agreed that with Bulgaria's future membership in 2023, the country could further contribute to deeper and more effective cooperation in the field of health.