Bulgarian Doctors Want FinMin Out over Diversion of Funds

The Bulgarian Medical Association and other professional and patients' organization have requested the resignation of Bulgarian Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov.

In a letter to Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov, the union of Bulgaria's doctors have argued that the Finance Minister has been chronically mismanaging the country's healthcare system.

In particular, the letter argues that Djankov has been significantly draining sources from the Bulgaria's National Health Insuranse Fund (NZOK) to cover other budget expenses.

"Close to BGN 2 B of citizens' health insurance payments have been diverted during Djankov's 3 years in power since 2009," reads the letter sent to the PM.

"Simeon Djankov treats HZOK as he will, and that is why the Fund is in its present sorry state," added Buglarian Medical Association chair Tsvetan Raychinov.

In their letter, medics also asked for an immediate discontinuation of the practice and investigation about where the funds went.

They have added that Djankov has failed to coherently and adequately explain this in previous official correspondence between the two parties.

Last week, the Bulgarian Medical Association came out with a statement in support of medics who opted out to collectively leave their jobs, and criticized FinMin Djankov of detrimentally affecting Bulgaria's healthcare system.