Bulgarian health Minister Tanya Andreeva has drawn attention to the worrying forecast that the number of babies born in 2013 will be 4500 less compared to 2012.

Speaking Saturday during a forum on maternal and child health, she underscored that the state had to put focus on mothers, children and young families.

"Unless we take steps to encourage births, there will be no sense in talking more on this topic" she added.

Andreeva, as cited by Sega daily, noted that the first baby born via in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in Bulgaria was also the first IVF baby on the Balkan Peninsula.

She specified that the "Assisted Reproduction Fund" would be returned to the Health Ministry, adding that it was a responsibility of the state to take steps to stem the demographic al decline.

Andreeva stressed the need for an active policy on the treatment of premature babies.

She announced that a number of nationwide programs concerning maternal and child health were being developed.

The Health Minister argued that the measures which were being taken would have an impact in 5-10 years.

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