the construction of a much-needed children’s hospital in Burgas is facing a important financial hurdle, as the required funds for 2025 have been omitted from the draft state budget. local lawmakers from the “Vazrazhdane” party, Boris Aladjov and Alexander Koichev, have raised concerns about the omission, warning that it coudl derail the project.
45 Million BGN Needed for Continued Construction
The estimated 45 million Bulgarian leva (BGN) required to continue construction activities next year are entirely absent from the draft budget. This comes on the heels of delays in the disbursement of the final 5.5 million BGN tranche for 2024, despite approval by the Council of Ministers.
Aladjov and Koichev have criticized the decision, stating, “All this is done solely with the aim of achieving a low budget deficit in order to get closer to the conditions for entering the Eurozone. This cannot be at the expense of the health of the Bulgarian children.”
Lawmakers Seek cross-Party Support
In response, the two lawmakers have initiated a meeting with deputies from the Burgas region representing other parties. Their goal is to garner support for the inclusion of the necessary funds during the interim period between the first and second readings of the budget. This collaborative effort underscores the urgency of the situation and the broader implications for healthcare in the region.
The children’s hospital project, once completed, is expected to provide critical healthcare services to the youngest residents of Burgas. However, without immediate financial intervention, the future of this vital initiative remains uncertain.
Fort aims to ensure that the children’s hospital project remains on track and that the health of Bulgarian children is prioritized over budgetary constraints.
### Summary of Key Points:
1. **Financial Hurdle**: The construction of a much-needed children’s hospital in Burgas is facing a significant financial hurdle as the required funds for 2025 have been omitted from the draft state budget.
2. **Funding Shortfall**: The estimated 45 million bulgarian leva (BGN) needed for continued construction in 2025 is entirely absent from the draft budget. This follows delays in the disbursement of the final 5.5 million BGN tranche for 2024, despite approval by the Council of Ministers.
3. **Lawmakers’ Concerns**: Local lawmakers from the “Vazrazhdane” party, Boris Aladjov and Alexander Koichev, have raised concerns about the omission, warning that it could derail the project. They criticized the decision, stating that it is being made to achieve a low budget deficit to meet eurozone entry conditions, at the expense of children’s health.
4. **Cross-Party Support**: Aladjov and Koichev have initiated a meeting with deputies from the Burgas region representing other parties to garner support for the inclusion of the necessary funds during the interim period between the first and second readings of the budget. This collaborative effort aims to ensure the project’s continuation.
### Conclusion:
The children’s hospital project in Burgas is at risk due to the omission of necessary funds in the draft state budget. Local lawmakers are actively seeking cross-party support to address this issue and ensure the project’s success, prioritizing the health of Bulgarian children over budgetary constraints.