State to Provide Additional 1,000 Lv a Month to All Medical Staff Working with Coronavirus Patients

After a meeting with President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the State will award an additional 1,000 leva a month to all medical staff working with coronavirus patients. The meeting was also attended by National Operations Headquarters Chief Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski.

President Radev urged the people of Bulgaria not to panic, stressing that the institutions are working in force majeure and that their efforts need to be respected. The President expressed his gratitude to all volunteers in the fight against coronavirus as well as his respect and support to all medical professionals.

Radev also noted that a mechanism to assist those most affected by the situation should be proposed. "The government urgently needs to reassess its financial and investment priorities. It should seek active EU assistance and so that those most affected can be supported," the President urged.

"The struggle today is for every Bulgarian. Therefore, my call is for unity and solidarity. And I believe that together we can get through this," said the Head of State.

On his part, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the measure for additional remuneration of medical workers will be officially announced on Sunday or Monday. He also pointed out that people on sick leave or going through bankruptcy can be helped and protected through the State Social Security Fund.
However, Borissov noted that measures in support of the poor and of small and medium-sized businesses should be taken cautiously and state reserves should be carefully monitored. The reason, he said, is that there should be sufficient funds for the pensions and salaries of doctors, the army and the police, for
all those who now are responsible for people's health, security and order.

The Prime Minister agreed with the President's statement and with his call for unity and solidarity. He said that the government will communicate with Radev all planned measures and calculations related to the current situation so that "we can be united and strong in this crisis". "The people should feel the consolidation of all institutions," stressed Borissov.

Later in the day, Social Minister Denitsa Sacheva announced that the additional funds of 1,000 leva per month for medical persons will be provided by the Human Resource Operational Programme.
Part of the protective measures will be covered by the European Regional Development Fund.

Together with several other ministers, Sacheva outlined various measures that the State is currently taking.

The Social Minister explained that the money in question will support staff at regional health inspectorates and emergency rooms. Part of the funding will go towards safe working conditions and inter-hospital transportation, as well as the transportation of quarantined patients  to and from their homes.

A logistics co-ordination centre will be established and will be responsible for protective clothing and equipment. It will be headed by Director of DG Fire Safety and Civil Protection, Chief Commissioner Nikolay Nikolov.

Another 20 million leva from the Human Resource Operational Programme will be made available by municipalities to expand patronage care. It covers 43,000 people already but will expand to people
in quarantine as well.

Additionally, pensions of over 400,000 working retirees will be recalculated without them having to go to the National Social Insurance Institute.

Source: BTA