Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian healthcare faced with shortage of 17,000 nurses

Photo: Archive

The Bulgarian Association of Health Care Professionals insists that the Bulgarian state should set a minimum number of nurses in each health care facility to ensure quality care for patients. The same proposal applies to midwives, rehabilitation workers, laboratory technicians and other specialists. 

According to a report by the Council for Economic Analysis of the Council of Ministers, there is a shortage of about 17 thousand nurses in Bulgaria, or 60% of the workforce in 2021. Thus, there is less than one nurse per doctor. However, if the normal ratio of 2:1 is to be reached, 29 thousand professionals need to enter the healthcare system. 

Figures from the same year show that 540 students graduate as nurses annually, while those leaving the jobs as nurses number 890. 

On International Nursing Day, the association is proposing that salaries be increased in line with the knowledge, skills and responsibilities in nursing teams to address the staffing crisis.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Ministry of Transport proposes the division of railway routes into three lots

Experts from the Ministry of Transport and Communications are proposing the division of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) into three lots. According to them, this is a first step toward a more efficient and modern railway transport system, reported..

published on 11/25/24 11:48 AM

The flu season is expected to peak at the end of December and the beginning of January

The flu season is expected to peak at the end of December and the beginning of January. In an interview with BNT, general practitioner Dr. Gergana Nikolova clarified that there are currently isolated positive cases of influenza. COVID-19 also..

published on 11/25/24 10:26 AM

The Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski" reopens for the new polar research season

The Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski" officially opened its doors on the eve of its patron saint's day . The members of the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition, led by Professor Hristo Pimpirev, set foot on the snowy shores of Livingston..

published on 11/25/24 10:14 AM