We live with 3 herniated discs and 2 quick credits. This is what ambulance drivers from Plovdiv told Vanya Grigorova. The leader of the Coalition "Solidary Bulgaria" and leader of the lists in Plovdiv-city, in 25 MIR in Sofia and for the European Parliament met with medical specialists, personal doctors and employees in "Emergency" in the coalition office in the city under Tepetata. The presence of Vanya Grigorova in Plovdiv aroused great interest, and doctors and workers in this field from the surrounding cities gathered at the meeting with her. Together with her, the leader of the coalition "Solidary Bulgaria" joined the conversation. for Plovdiv region and No. 2 in that for Plovdiv-city Atanas Krastev, who is also the chairman of the Trade Union Regional Union of KT "Support", and Georgi Batakchiev, medic from CSMP Plovdiv and No. 5 in the list of Plovdiv city and No. 3 in that of Plovdiv region.
Medical specialists spoke in detail about the problems they encounter in their work. "We talked about the fact that their food vouchers are 2 BGN per day and have not been updated since 2004, Vanya Grigorova said. - This is absurd. They should be increased at least 5 times immediately and we will do our best to make this happen when we become part of the next parliament.
The workers gave a voucher to Vanya Grigorova to think about their problem every day and work to fix it.
"We talked at the meeting that both the paramedics and the drivers are actually full-fledged specialists and they are also relied on to save people, and they receive a monthly supplement of BGN 20 for the stress they experience, on top of their basic salary of BGN 1,400 BGN, she said. - These are the people who carry oxygen bottles, defibrillators, carry bags to the place where a human life must be saved. They said that they had to take patients down in a helpless state from the fourth floor without an elevator. And no one is asking them if they can or can't do it. They gave a comparison to barbell champion Carlos Nassar, who lifts 130 kg in one go, and they often do it from the fourth to the first floor of apartment buildings.
Employees in "Emergency" they also told Vanya Grigorova about the problems in small settlements, where very often there is no road or it is impossible for a stretcher to enter a yard. Then they are forced to carry helpless people in blankets. "Medics complained that very often they are called to an address for no reason, which means that there is a problem with triage or with the assessment of which case is urgent and which can wait, commented Vanya Grigorova. - If an ambulance is not dispatched, disgruntled patients start filing complaints. This is harassment for doctors and often the ambulance goes to an address where the case is not urgent and at the same time is delayed for someone who really relies on speed to save a life. A vicious circle is created, from which we can only get out with clear rules and measures".
Medics from "Emergency" told that they had to work two or three jobs in order to manage to secure a monthly income with which to live normally. "The meeting was attended by a doctor who works in two emergency centers and teaches at the Thrace University, where she receives a fee of BGN 30 for 3 hours of lectures. That is why she left the school, said Vanya Grigorova. - There are also serious legal gaps. For example, the one that a paramedic sent to a woman in labor has no right to treat children under 1 year old. What should he do if the newborn has a problem and needs help? And apart from him, there is no other medic at the place".
For another big problem in "Emergency" shared those present at the meeting with Vanya Grigorova. "By law, the ambulance must take the patient to the nearest hospital, regardless of whether it is private or public, she explained. - But very often private hospitals refused with various explanations - no places, no wards - especially when it comes to treating a patient, which is very expensive. Like a stroke, for example. Or the patient himself is not health insured.
Another important problem, which the doctors shared, is related to a gap in two laws. "It is about the leasing of offices to general practitioners in places. The maximum term is 10 years, after which the medic must again appear in the tender for the premises in which he worked, said Vanya Grigorova. - However, it often happens that someone else offers a slightly higher price and the doctor who used the premises until now has to move. But his patients, often exceeding 2,000, live in that area. In moving him, they lose touch with him. This glitch should be fixed soon. And there is such a possibility - with small changes in two laws - the one on medical facilities and the second one on municipal property".
At the end of the meeting, Vanya Grigorova told the medics and emergency workers that she has solutions for all problems. "We also have a desire to work on them, because apparently so far they have been neglected, she commented. - If you give us the trust, and with that the tools to work for you, we will be able to be useful and together we will deal with all difficult situations.