Sofia ER Hospital Director Axed after Wave of Protests

Politics | July 3, 2007, Tuesday // 00:00
Bulgaria: Sofia ER Hospital Director Axed after Wave of Protests Health Minister Radoslav Gaydarski (standing) gave in to the demands of Pirogov staff and dismissed the emergency hospital director Spas Spaskov (front). Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)

Tensions at Sofia's Pirogov emergency hospital subsided on Tuesday after the health ministry decided to dismiss its head Spas Spaskov.

Pirogov Board of Directors will be replaced by new members, who should not have been in the management of the hospital since 1990 till now, Minister Radoslav Gaydarski announced after more than a month of protests by the hospital staff.

The hospital's 2,000-strong staff went on strike for the first time on May 18 and threatened to go on effective strike if their demands are not being satisfied.

The protesters demanded wages of BGN 1,600 for doctors, BGN 800 for nurses and BGN 400 for paramedics, as well as new equipment and a change in the status of the hospital, which would allow it to receive state subsidies.

On Monday the health ministry agreed to draft a funding scheme to subsidise the costs of clinical services, which are insufficiently covered by mandatory state insurance, and also allocate funds for new equipment.

It was still unclear on Tuesday whether the two sides have reached an agreement on the wage hike demands.

Pirogov is Sofia's main emergency hospital and the biggest in Bulgaria, and is the main destination for patients in critical condition from the entire country.

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