Berkovitsa was left without a children's ward, and the reason is the lack of pediatricians. The two doctors who have been working there for years are of retirement age and the on-call duties are becoming unbearable for them. The municipality and the hospital management are urgently looking for doctors to accept the youngest patients again, BNT reports.
Until now, about 20,000 people have relied on the two doctors in the children's ward of the Berkovitsa Hospital to take care of their children in case of a more serious illness, as the children's ward in Berkovitsa has taken in not only children from the municipality, but also those from the Varshets Municipality. For several days now, young patients have been forced to travel at least 20 minutes to reach the nearest children's ward - in Montana, or to travel twice as many kilometers to be accepted by pediatricians at the Vratsa Hospital. The problem with the lack of doctors is becoming increasingly serious in Northwestern Bulgaria. Just two years ago, the crisis with pediatricians worried parents in Vratsa, but the situation was brought under control.
The news that the children's ward in Berkovitsa would not work angered the parents of young children.
Miglena Savova, a resident of Berkovitsa: "The fact that we were left without a children's ward, I apologize for the expression, is the greatest simplicity. Both of my children had bronchiolitis and we were lying there, where they were given the necessary treatment."
Nadya Nikolova, a resident of Berkovitsa: "This ward has saved us in many cases in difficult situations. It's not very good to travel to Montana, because sometimes it can be risky for our children."
According to Miglena Savova, the crisis could have been avoided:
"Most of the doctors were of retirement or pre-retirement age, maybe this should have been foreseen earlier."
Gabriela Kondjova, medical paramedic: "You just have to attract a good specialist and be well motivated. If he is not well motivated, he will not come."
In addition to the management of the medical institution, the local government has also taken on the search for pediatricians for the ward, since the hospital is 100% municipal property.
Atanas Kirilov, manager of the Berkovitsa Hospital: "The ward has not been closed, but has temporarily suspended admissions due to the lack of doctors with a pediatric specialty. We are doing everything we can. Unfortunately, at this point, everyone has refused me with all sorts of arguments other than remuneration."
Both the residents of the Berkovitsa municipality and the neighboring Varshets municipality rely on the children's ward. And the municipal councilors are also looking for a way out of the crisis with the children's ward in the local parliament.