The Bulgarian health sector is poised to receive a much-needed financial boost of 350 million leva, according to a November 17 2009 memorandum agreed by the ruling GERB party, the Blue Coalition, Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov and Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev, Dnevnik daily said.

The agreement was signed a day after Prime Minister Boiko Borissov held a meeting with doctors’, dentists’ and nurses’ organisations. The memorandum promises to improve accessibility to quality health care for all Bulgarians and improved services through an additional 60 million leva specifically for chemotherapy, and life-support medication, to be included in the 2010 Budget.

Additionally, the memorandum said that 10 million leva would have to be raised for the installation of new medical equipment where required, Dnevnik said.

The 350 million injection into the health sector will not be included in the new Budget for 2010. Part of the funds will be found through a process of major restructuring and/or closure of more than 100 hospitals nationwide; other funds will be gathered through "a more efficient system of health insurance payments collection and procession and improved internal health care redistribution," Dnevnik said.

The remaining funds reportedly will be raised through "economising in other sectors in the economy" which will, in turn, be redirected to health care, the report says. For the scheme to operate successfully, "delegated budgets" will be instituted and not every hospital will be allowed to tap into the health budget.

According to Luchezar Ivanov, the head of the parliamentary committee on health, "this is an unprecedented agreement for thorough reforms in the health sectors, designed by the GERB ruling party, the Blue Coalition and all other affiliated and concerned parties".