“Today’s event is an expression of our maturity, ambition and will to be an active and constructive part of today’s healthcare system. Because we know that our role is specific and irreplaceable, and our future is our common mission! Our development is to work to a higher professional standard, with better recognition and greater opportunities for progress, both for each of us and for our entire guild.” With these words, Alexander Alexandrov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Medical Association, addressed all those present at the opening of the First National Conference of Medical Assistants and Paramedics ‘Traditions in the Future’, which took place from 14 to 16 November in Tsarsko Selo Complex, Sofia.

“Our ambition is to preserve the experience and build on and share the invaluable skills we have gained over the years. To increase our knowledge and learn the latest scientific achievements and challenges in medical practice, requiring continuous training", Alexandrov further said in his address.

The forum was honored and officially opened by the manager of the National Health Insurance Fund Assoc. "Professions such as yours have a global application as a successful financially cost-effective model for training medical staff in conditions of expensive services and limited resources. I am convinced that your professional discussions, shared experiences and good practices that you will discuss during these three days at this first conference of its kind will have their public resonance and social dimension. And this is another step towards the more successful development of your profession and its implementation in the entire healthcare system in Bulgaria, "said Assoc. It's Stefanowski.

The Chairperson of the Health Committee of the 51st National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Prof. Dr. Kostadin Angelov, MD, the Minister of Health, Assoc. Dr. Silvi Kirilov, MD, the Director of the Pazardzhik Medical Center, Dr. Boris Manev, the Chairperson of the Podkrepa Medical Federation, Rositsa Paleshnikova, and the Chairperson of BAPF, Lilyana Petrova, sent congratulatory addresses to the participants in the conference. Mrs. Pavlina Gerina from the Alliance of Bulgarian Midwives greeted all attendees.

More than 200 participants from all over the country took part in the first of its kind training of medical assistants/feldchers, attended with increased interest in the lectures of Assoc. Vanyo Mitev, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Angel Kunchev, PhD, Dr. Mariyana Simeonova, Prof. Dr. Nikolay Mladenov, PhD, Assoc. endovascular treatment in aortic dissection and aneurysm; prevention and treatment of Covid-19 and influenza; the development of the immunization calendar of the Republic of Bulgaria; patency and airway management; modern aspects of emergency assistance - challenges and possible solutions; stroke - modern aspects; some considerations on the treatment of infectious diseases in children in outpatient settings and violence against healthcare professionals.

A collection of publications from the conference will be published in December on the website of BLAF.

Photos from the National Conference of Medical Assistants and Paramedics "Traditions in the Future" can be found in our gallery.

Thank you to Aurubis Bulgaria to support the organisation of the First National Conference of Medical Assistants and Paramedics "Traditions in the Future".