The Only Pediatric Cardiology Ward in Bulgaria on the Verge of Closing Down

The only ward for pediatric cardiology at the National Cardiology Hospital is possible to stop providing its services if by the end of March it does not receive additional funding from the state, doctors have warned.

The budget of the department has accumulated a deficit of half a million BGN. The levels of nurses are low, there is also a shortage of 20 nurses. Those who have remained at work look after larger number of children who have undergone surgery and work extra hours. Because of the lack of funding for clinical pathways, the hospital's management cannot offer higher salaries to attract new staff. There is no money for repair and purchase of new equipment. The ward provides services to 900 children with heart related conditions per year.

Prof. Mario Stankev, Head of NCH says they will do their best to preserve this activity because it is unique for the country.

Dr. Stoyan Lazarov, Head of the Department of Surgery of Congenital Heart Malformations: "There is no country in Europe where this activity is not directly assisted by the state under programmes.

Prof. Anna Kaneva, Head of the Clinic of Pediatric Cardiology: The clinic is currently working as an emergency clinic. Emergency patients are accepted and urgent problems solved. The others somehow are postponed for later.