Prof. Dr. Vladimir Gonchev won the competition for executive director of Burgas University Hospital at the end of October. He took over the position of the late Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boyko Mirazchiyski. What did he find in the hospital and what ideas does he have… The Executive Director of Burgas University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Gonchev, spoke to FACTI.
– Prof. Gonchev, in what state did you find Burgas University Hospital?
– UMBAL Burgas is the largest medical institution in Southeastern Bulgaria, strategically important for the region, with a very large patient flow, especially during the summer period, when it increases due to vacationers.
The hospital is also an educational center – the most important educational structure and partner of the Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov“.
It has very important functions in several areas – in the field of medical-diagnostic, treatment and educational activities. It trains students in medicine and health care – for nurses, midwives, physician assistants and paramedics.
The condition of the hospital is good – it has stable financial indicators and good medical results. The medical staff – doctors and nurses – is motivated to fulfill his duties, but additional efforts are required to raise the level of the hospital in several areas. It is necessary to provide medical equipment that meets modern requirements, as well as to further develop medical and educational activities. We will make efforts in these areas – to improve the financial health care facility and upgrade it in its medical and educational activities.
– Are these the most important elements of your management program?
– Yes. The hospital is a partner of the state university and this priority must be maintained and upgraded. Medical and medical activities are mandatory and not subject to comment.
– What was the first thing you did after becoming director?
– I held meetings with the heads of the clinics and departments and continue to do so. I asked about their needs – personnel, as well as related to the infrastructure, medical equipment and improvements to the material base. I checked the opportunities for training students and residents and discussed in which areas the activity can be upgraded to make the hospital a better place for treatment and increase its capacity as an educational center.
– The main reproach to you is that you are not from Burgas. Did you feel this in your meetings with your colleagues?
– I have been working in Burgas for more than 10 years and my colleagues have known each other since then. Since 2017, I have been a lecturer at the university, together with some of them, and for more than three years I have been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of UMBAL Burgas. Currently, my professional activity is in Burgas – both at the university and at the hospital. I give all my knowledge, strength, experience and professionalism to the development of these two institutions. I do not participate in other structures. That's why I haven't felt such an attitude, but if I may paraphrase a proverb and joke - I know that every director is either spoken badly or nothing at all.
– The most painful question - is there money for a salary increase at UMBAL Burgas?
– Money comes with activity and work. We are making efforts to increase the number of clinical pathways under the new framework contract and to conclude more clinical pathways. Yes, in healthcare we often say that the funds are not enough, but those that are set in the budget, I think will be enough to cover the needs and expenses of the hospital, including for an increase in salaries. This is related to the activity that each structure carries out - it is important to maintain a good balance. When there is a positive balance, salaries will be increased.
– But there are structures that do not have clinical pathways - laboratories, forensic medicine, blood donation... – These units participate in medical activities by supporting other structures of the hospital. They cannot be profitable, because that is the essence of their work. We are currently calculating what funds they use in order to make an accurate assessment of their financial needs.
– Are you afraid of debts? Some hospitals accumulate debts, but invest in equipment. How do you view this?
– Our goal is for the hospital not to accumulate debts. With its own funds and funds for capital expenditures provided by the Ministry of Health, new equipment will be purchased. Accumulating debts is not a good strategy.
– What is ahead - what have you agreed on, what will you renew?
– In the near future, under the Ministry of Health, a second angiograph will be purchased for the second hall of the Vascular Surgery Clinic. We have assurances from the Ministry of Health for the provision of other modern equipment with great diagnostic capabilities, as well as for repair work in the most needy departments.
– Information has appeared about mass resignations at the Burgas University Hospital. What is the real situation?
– This information was a surprise to me too, because so far, such an issue has not arisen from my meetings with the heads of the clinics and departments. Yes, there have been more heated conversations and demands that we have tried to satisfy. I requested a report from the “Human Resources“ department for the period in which I manage the hospital – since July 1, we have had four doctors leave and eight newly appointed. There are 16 appointed nurses and the same number who have left. Currently, one doctor and two of them - residents - are on notice to leave. There is also one orderly, one autoclave operator and three health assistants - sixth-year medical students who are preparing for exams. The hospital employs over 900 people, which means that about 2% have submitted applications to leave. Unfortunately, we live in the information age - there is information everywhere and of any kind, we just need to learn to distinguish the true from the false.
– How do you comment on the claims that some directors “prefer“ profitable departments?
– From my meetings with colleagues so far, I have not noticed a division into profitable and non-profit structures. The hospital is multi-profile, of great importance for the region. There is no other hospital with such a variety of activities. My goal is to support those units that are experiencing difficulties in order to raise their level and financial resources.
– How do you view the idea of hospitals not being commercial companies?
– At this stage, this is not possible from a purely legislative point of view. This would require many legal changes that cannot happen all at once. It would also lead to upheavals in the healthcare system.
– Are you afraid of competition from private hospitals?
– Private hospitals are well represented in the region and provide quality medical services. We must take this into account and deal with the challenges that competition poses. Private medical institutions have their place in the healthcare system, but we cannot be their competition, nor can they be ours. We are all working for good healthcare and medical services for the population of the Burgas region. UMBAL Burgas AD is a hospital with nearly 150 years of history – the backbone of healthcare in the region, which it will continue to be in the future.
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Prof. Dr. Vladimir Gonchev is a doctor with over 37 years of experience with a professional career that has passed through various levels in the hierarchy of the healthcare system - a doctor in the Emergency Department, a department of internal medicine and functional diagnostics of internal diseases, acquired management skills as a head of health and medical institutions and since 2016. a university lecturer at the Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov". He has over 60 publications and participation in scientific congresses in Bulgaria and abroad. The main scientific interests are in the fields of internal medicine, social medicine, public health, health management, epidemiology of non-communicable diseases, epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases, telemedicine, digital health, artificial intelligence in healthcare.