/ world today news/ The two discussed measures already in Budget’2024 and united around the need for urgent solutions in our country
At a meeting in the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, Prime Minister Academician Nikolay Denkov and MEP Sergey Stanishev discussed the need for new demographic policy we have more measures and funds for them in the 2024 Budget.
“Bulgaria is the only country in the world that has been in the top three countries with the highest negative natural growth for more than 30 years. In half that time, we are in first place, as it is now, and our population has decreased by over 2 million people. In this way, by 2040, the population of the country will number 4.95 million people, according to the forecasts of the experts from the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography at the BAS. The share of the working-age population will remain relatively unchanged – around 60%, while that of the 0-14 age group will drop to 10-11%, and the elderly population (aged 65+) is expected to grow to 29 -30%, which is one of the most alarming trends in the country’s demographic development. Another significant part will be poorly educated, with high unemployment and risk of social exclusion. I’m sure you too are troubled by the message of the cited data. That’s why I’m turning to you with the idea to support proposals in several directions.”, pointed out Stanishev, on whose initiative the meeting was held.
Demographics – the new national goal for Bulgaria
The two discussed the need to transform demographic policy in the new national goal for Bulgaria, the need for the achievement of political consensus on the subject and the introduction of horizontal, comprehensive and coordinated solutions in the economy, social and regional policy, health and education.
“It is necessary to urgently achieve political consensus between the parties in the National Assembly and the institutions of the Republic of Bulgaria for making demographics the focus of our national efforts in the coming decades. Changing the demographic picture in our country should be our new national goal.
The previous ones measures are palliative, and the situation demands urgent horizontal decisions at the executive and legislative levels, especially in the economy, health and education. Coordinating them is a colossal task given the challenges facing the country at the moment. The choice of appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Demography would be a clear sign of the priority role of this topic in the agenda of the cabinet and of Bulgarian society as a whole,” suggested Stanishev.
The Prime Minister Academician Nikolay Denkov…
Sergey Stanishev defended the proposals of the experts, expressed at a conference on demography in early October. Due to the advanced procedure of adopting the budget for 2024, comments were made at the meeting specific reproductive health measures.
“In our country, the age at which young people have a problem with reproduction falls to 25 years. This is due to many factors: stress, lifestyle, bad habits, early puberty, but mostly the lack of any prevention. Therefore, experts in this field recommend the introduction of National preventive program for women and men in the 18-40 age group.’
Experts also suggest the expansion of the National Program for Maternal and Child Health to the Ministry of Health with measures for comprehensive maternal and fetal care in pregnant women. This includes a number of modern tests, non-invasive diagnostics and screening. Their total sum amounts to less than BGN 30 million, and these measures would largely solve the problems with pathological pregnancies, the mental health of the fetus and the high infant mortality rate in the country.
The Prime Minister…
The ministers of labor and social policy – Ivanka Shalapatova and of health – Dr. Hristo Hinkov…
The meeting was also attended by …, as well as Assoc. Dr Georgi Burdarov, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geography at the “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Dr. Tanya Andreeva, former Minister of Health and member of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Council of the Minister of Health, Radina Velcheva, founder of the I Want a Baby Foundation, Dr Meftune Shefketovahead of the Assisted Reproduction Center at Acibadem City Clinic, DCC Tokuda and Dr. Alexander Kobakov, head of the Diagnostic-consultative block for hypertension at Saint Sofia Hospital.
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