State-run hospitals with debts will have to sell their property to cover expenditure, Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski told national television bTV.

It is logical for a hospital that owes suppliers money to sell property, which is usually not used, Gaidarski said. In this way, hospitals will not rely on budget funds to put their financial affairs in order, said he.

Until now the Health Ministry covered hospital debts. The sums varied between 20 and 40 million leva each year, Gaidarski said.

The large deficit accumulated last year is the reason for the needed changes of healthcare fiscal policies, said Gaidarski. From a total debt of 220 million leva, 86 million have been returned. Additional financial resources were provided with difficulty, said he.

Currently major hospitals owe at least 10 million leva each to medical equipment suppliers.

Gaidarski said the new national healthcare strategy would be ready by the end of March.