Description
Demographic processes in Bulgaria are characterized by a steady downward trend in population and aging. The main reasons for this are the low birth rate, increased mortality and emigration of a considerable part of young people. Health policy is aimed at protecting the health of pregnant women and newborns. The project will contribute in the short term to meet increased needs and tackling inequalities by providing equal access to health services. Тhe main objective of the project is to contribute to reducing the number of children with congenital diseases and reducing child mortality. The specific objectives of the project are: - Improved methods of prenatal diagnosis; - Improving knowledge and skills of doctors - specialists in obstetrics and gynecology in the field of prenatal diagnosis and fetal morphology; - Improved neonatal care The project proposal aims at maximizing the impact of financing in the areas identified in health coals: to protect the health of the child. Interventions identified as necessary in order to contribute to achieving the desired results, include the supply of equipment and training. The activities in the project are aiming at: Improvement of the quality of prenatal diagnostics in order to diminish the existing regional differences in the quality through provision of equipment and training of specialists in each of the 28 Bulgarian districts; Improvement of the quality of neonatal care through modernization of the neonatal care units around the country. In the process of training of specialists, teachers from Norway will train medical doctors in Bulgaria. This process will contribute to creating a network for the exchange of best practices and strengthening bilateral relations.
Summary of project results
By the implementation of the activities under PDP No 4, Ministry of Health achieved the main objective of the project - to protect children health by reducing the number of children with congenital diseases and reducing child mortality. One of the main reasons for the high infant mortality rate across the country is the old equipment for hospital care associated with obstetric and gynecological and neonatal care in the medical establishments. 436 high-tech medical devices have been delivered under the project. Specialized trainings for operation with the medical equipment has been held to ensure the proper use of the delivered equipment. 131 medical specialists from 32 hospitals across the country attended trainings in the field of fetal morphology to improve their qualification in this important field and to get reduced regional differences in the quality of the medical services provided in the field of neonatal and prenatal care. As a result of the project, pregnant women and newborn children in the Republic of Bulgaria, in the long-term and significantly, receive equal access to health services across the country. The successfully implemented project activities contribute to improving public health and reducing health inequalities with a focus on the health of children and pregnant women, as well as contributing to successful implementation for the purposes of the BG 07 Programme "Public Health Initiatives". The project also contributes to the implementation of the national priorities in the field of maternal and child health, set out in the National Health Strategy 2020, the National Concept "Objectives for Health" and the National program for the improvement of maternal and child health 2014-2020.
Summary of bilateral results