Negotiations with young doctors about their salaries continue.
Anyone who wishes can specialize in any of the options offered, there is no exam for admission to specialization, there is a fictitious one. There is a serious imbalance between the number of specialists in different areas. While some areas are oversaturated, others are literally disappearing. This was commented by the head of the Clinic of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital "St. Anna"; prof. Boris Bogov in the studio of "Denyat ON AIR".
"There are only 33 vascular surgeons in Bulgaria, nephrologists – about 260. For comparison – there are over 3,000 cardiologists. This depends on the attractiveness of the specialty – if it does not bring good income from the Health Insurance Fund or from clinical pathways, young doctors do not choose it", said Prof. Bogov.
He pointed out that in some cases, residents receive higher incomes than established professors, and often work in violation of the rules.
"In 2018, a resident in Plovdiv received 4,500 leva – more than a professor at the Medical University. The problem is that there are many hospitals in Bulgaria. If there were fewer, as the population is, then there would be more for those specializing", gave an example Prof. Bogov.
On the air of Bulgaria ON AIR, the guest pointed out that salaries in medical institutions depend on revenues from the NHIF.
"If there are not enough patients, there is nowhere to give money. Private hospitals are selective towards specialties that are attractive and bring income", pointed out Prof. Bogov. Emphasis was also placed on the moral side of the process – the commitment of young doctors to the system that trained them.
"The state invests in their education - 6 years of training and 4 years of specialization. They cannot just pack their bags and go abroad. There should be an obligation for them to work for a certain period in our country," the guest is categorical.
The head of the Internal Medicine Clinic at the University Hospital "St. Anna" is convinced that there are no better doctors for Bulgarian patients than those we train ourselves.
"We are testing colleagues from Ukraine who graduated there. They have to pass an exam - they come to us for internal medicine. Our doctors know many times more than the colleagues we are testing. That is why I do not think we can import doctors," the physician expressed his opinion.
He emphasized that at protests over salaries, students who are not yet residents often speak.
"There are residents who do not know much. I suspect that those from this group are protesting for salaries," expressed his opinion, Prof. Boris Bogov.