Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Psychiatric care in Bulgaria relies on only 572 specialists

Workers in state psychiatric hospitals have gone on strike demanding higher salaries and better conditions

published on 3/19/25 2:05 PM

Center for mental health in Sofia district

Photo: D-r Vladimir Sotirov

Workers in state psychiatric hospitals have gone on strike demanding higher salaries and better working conditions, including adequate workplace protection, as they work with dangerous patients.

Mental health professionals launch a three-day nationwide protest

"Young specialists are fleeing because we do not have decent pay or good working conditions. They prefer to go abroad," said Dr. Kamelia Panova, chairwoman of the "Protection" union at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Lovech. She pointed out that a psychiatric nurse receives 1,300-1,400 leva /665-716 euros/ depending on her length of service.

The Bulgarian Medical Association supported the demands of the psychiatric workers.

"Bulgaria ranks last in the EU in terms of the number of psychiatrists per 100,000 population - only 8, or more than 3 times less than Germany - the country in the EU with the largest number of psychiatrists. All psychiatric care in Bulgaria is supported by 572 working colleagues, and nearly 300 of them are over 61 years of age. Young staff in the specialty, those under 40, are only 37. And against this background, mental illnesses have seen a visible increase in recent years," the BMA said.

3/4 of mentally ill Bulgarians do not receive care

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News mental illness psychiatric care psychiatrists salaries of doctors salaries of nurses

More from category

Significant cloudiness and precipitation in the mountains and eastern regions

On Thursday , the lowest temperatures will be between 4 and 9°C; in Sofia – about 4°C. During the day, there will be significant cloudiness over many regions of the country. There will be light rainfall in places in the southeastern..

published on 10/15/25 7:30 PM

Sofia reports 10% rise in tourist arrivals in 2025

Between January and September 2025, Bulgaria’s capital recorded a 10% increase in tourist arrivals and a 6% rise in overnight stays compared with the same period in 2024, according to data from the Unified Tourist Information System (ESTI). The municipal..

published on 10/15/25 6:09 PM

Unemployment in Bulgaria remains low

Bulgaria’s Employment Agency reported a stable labour market in September, with the registered unemployment rate standing at 5.06%, down from 5.2% in August. Around 17,000 people found jobs through labour offices during the month, nearly 3,000 of..

published on 10/15/25 5:57 PM

1
..
5
6
7
8
9
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Mostly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 16

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have finalized a memorandum for joint cooperation on transport projects

Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have finalized a memorandum for joint cooperation on new transport projects, said European Commissioner for..

published on 10/20/25 11:54 AM

European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates fictitious mussel farm in the Black Sea

Suspicions of large-scale fraud with EU funds in a project to build a mussel farm in the Black Sea – southeast of Cape Emine in the..

published on 10/20/25 1:59 PM

Bulgarian priest proposes prayer service for successful peace talks in Budapest

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow has not held talks regarding a possible overflight of President..

published on 10/20/25 9:36 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking