Main planning cycles
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the country’s national health planning framework. This section provides an overview of the national health planning cycles, program and project timelines, as well as detailed insights into the strategic objectives and current status of the primary national health sector plan.
Overview
Plan horizon and strategic timelines
National Health Policy Strategy and Plan
National Health Strategy 2030
Bulgaria’s National Health Strategy 2023–2030 focuses on sustainable health improvement, resource efficiency, and reducing health inequalities. The strategy aims to promote disease prevention, strengthen primary healthcare, modernize hospital infrastructure, and improve financial sustainability. It aligns with Bulgaria’s 2030 Development Program and international commitments, ensuring universal health coverage and better public health outcomes. Key priorities include reducing risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and unhealthy diets, along with strengthening vaccination programs and chronic disease prevention. Investments in digital health, emergency response, and pharmaceutical access aim to enhance system efficiency. Workforce development is a core focus, emphasizing training, retention, and equitable distribution of healthcare professionals. The strategy seeks to restructure healthcare services, emphasizing primary and outpatient care, hospital efficiency, and long-term care services. It also promotes mental health services, cancer prevention, and geriatric care to address key public health challenges. Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve transplant services are also prioritized. Despite progress, challenges persist in funding sustainability, regional disparities, and system coordination. Governance reforms focus on enhancing accountability, safety culture, and health data management. Success depends on continued investment, stronger intersectoral collaboration, and policy continuity to achieve long-term health improvements.
Strategic Objectives
Strengthen disease prevention and reduce health risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet.
Expand primary healthcare and outpatient services to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Modernize hospital infrastructure and enhance emergency response capabilities.
Improve healthcare workforce capacity through training, retention strategies, and equitable distribution.
Ensure financial sustainability by optimizing healthcare funding and resource allocation.
Promote digital health integration, data management, and governance reforms for system efficiency.