Bulgaria's Health Ministry submitted Wednesday a report about its work under the leadership of now ousted Minister, Bozhidar Nanev.

The report involves the August 2009 – March 2010 period and lists, among other achievements, amendments in the Medical Facilities and Medical Insurance Acts.

Nanev resigned on March 30, after the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office charged him with conducting deals for the purchase of medicine that were unfavorable for the State.

The report points out the new quality requirements for medical facilities needed to sign contracts with the National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK) and the new concept for restructuring existing hospitals. Medical standards have been prepared with hospitals given a 6-month deadline to comply.

In addition, changes in the Health Insurance Act have led to increased revenue collection.

During the ex Minister's term in office, the Agency for Medical Audit was founded over the priority to have better control of the health care system, according to the report. The Agency offers possibilities to apply European and global principles in patients' safety and quality of medical services.

Another priority, listed in the report, is the transparency of the management style and of the Ministry's policies.

The report also notes the active collaboration between the Institution and the patients' rights organizations and other NGOs, presenting as example Nanev's recognition, at the end of 2009, of 2 patient rights organizations as national representatives, leading to the possibility of public control over the health care system.

The rules about generating a list of recommended medicine and reimbursement for them, created under Nanev, along with an Audit Committee, including patients, are also of prime importance, the report points out.

The Health Ministry leadership also focused on the best ways to absorb EU funds and participate in EU projects and programs and developed a successful project under the “Regional Development” operational program for the establishment of high-tech hospitals in all 6 economic regions in the country.

The Organ Transplant Agency improved its work while the Health Ministry had been able to secure air transportation for the needs of the health care system; changes were instituted in the Child Medical Treatment Fund, leading to faster approval of applications and better use of funds.

Another achievement listed by the report is the signing of the National Frame Contract – a first in the last 4 years.

On the very same day the report was issued the Bulgarian Parliament officially released Nanev from the post and appointed Prof. Anna-Maria Borisova as Health Minister.

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