News

BUPAF 2025-10-08

Burgas General Assembly – 11.11.2025

Dear colleagues,
The Board of RC Burgas convenes a General Assembly, which will be held on 11.11.2025 at 17:00 in the Aula of the University Hospital Burgas.

The meeting will be held with the following agenda:

1. Financial report of RC Burgas for 2024 and as of 11.11.2025
2. Consideration, discussion and vote on Rules for the spending of the financial resources of the Regional College.
3. Election of one more delegate and three reserve delegates for upcoming UBAF congresses, due to the increased number of RC Burgas.
4. Suggestions and discussions on topics related to the upcoming trainings of medical assistants and paramedics at regional level.
5. Other organizational issues related to the work of the Regional College.

According to Art. 24, para. 6 of the Statutes of BSAF, the meeting will be held on a delegate basis - 1 representative of 3 members.
Please for your activity!

the Board of Directors of BSLAF
gr. Burgas

BUPAF 2025-09-29

General Assembly RK Sliven – 9.10.25

BUPAF 2025-09-20

First national conference of medical assistants and paramedics "Traditions in the future".

Dear colleagues, the interest in holding the First National Conference is extremely high and the seats in the hall are already filled. For this reason, registration for the event will remain active until the end of the day (29 September 2025), after which it will be closed.

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the First National Conference of Medical Assistants and Paramedics "Traditions in the Future". The event will take place on 14-16 November 2025 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in Tsarsko Selo Complex - Hotel & Spa, 72 Ring Road, Sq. Dragalevtsi, Sofia.

Medical assistants and paramedics and leading Bulgarian lecturers – doctors in the field of emergency medicine, resuscitation and anesthesiology, cardiology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, etc. – gathered in one place at the first of its kind forum for our professional and professional organisation.
The aim of the conference is the members of BULAF to build on their accumulated knowledge and through a multidisciplinary approach to get acquainted with the latest achievements in medicine and medical technologies. In the panels for discussion we will have the opportunity to discuss various medical cases and exchange experience with proven specialists in a wide range of fields of medicine.

The participation fee is 26 BGN for regular members of BULFA, and for each registered participant are provided accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner for the days of the conference.

For non-members, the participation fee is BGN 60. Non-members are required to pay additional fees as follows:
Dinner on 14 November 2025 – BGN 50 (requested in the registration form)
Lunch on 15 November 2025 – BGN 40 (requested in the registration form)
Official dinner on 15 November 2025 – BGN 65 (requested in the registration form)
ل Overnight in a double room – BGN 80, single room – BGN 125 /to be requested in the registration form/

Medical assistants and paramedics, who have paid their membership fee until 30.09.2025, and for the new members - admitted and paid until 31.10.2025, are accepted as regular members of BULAF. The payment of the membership fee should be before the payment of the registration.

Payment of the participation fee shall be made by bank transfer to the account of BULAF by 10 November 2025 at the latest:
United Bulgarian Bank
IBAN: BG30 UBBS 8002 1068 7220 50
Name of holder: Bulgarian Union of Medical Assistants and Paramedics
Reason for payment: 1st National Conference 2025

To participate in the event, you need to fill in the registration form. Registration shall be made until 20.10.2025 for members or until the seats in the hall are filled. Registration for non-members shall be made from 20.10.2025 to 31.10.2025 or until the seats in the hall are filled.

To participate in the event you need to fill in the Registration form below

Information about the lecturers and the program of the conference can be found on the website of BSLAF.
Each participant will receive a certificate and the relevant credit points for completed continuing education.

We are waiting for you!

For more information or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Hristo Ivanov, Secretary General of BULAF.

With respect,

Management Board
the BSLAF

News BUPAF 2025-09-06

Happy Unification Day!

BUPAF 2025-08-26

General Assembly RK Sliven – 25.09.2025

Dear Members,
On RC - BSLAF - Sliven on 25.09.25 (Thursday) at 13:30 a.m. in the hall of the Central Hotel, a Reporting and Election Meeting will be held.

Agenda of the meeting:
1. Election of a new President due to the resignation of
the previous one.
2. Changes in the Board of RC Sliven.
3. Financial report.
4. Others.

According to Art. 24, para.b of the Statutes of BSLAF, the meeting will be held on a delegate principle 1 representative of 3 members.

With respect,
Stoyanka Uzunova
President of RC - Sliven

BUPAF 2025-08-26

Meeting of the Management Board of BULAF on 19.09.2025

TO
THE MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF
BULGARIAN UNION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND FELDCHERS
TO
THE PRESIDENTS OF
the National Quality Council
the Ethics Committee
the Supervisory Committee of BULAF

Dear Colleagues,
I convene a meeting of the Board of Directors of BSLAF in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11(2) and (3) of the Statutes of BSLAF, subject to the terms and procedure for convening under Article 7(2) and (3) of the Management Rules of BSLAF. The meeting will be held in Sofia on 19 September 2025, starting at 11:00, with the following agenda:
1. Examining, discussing and voting on organizational issues related to the holding of the First National Conference of BULAF;
2. Consideration, discussion and vote on a proposal for convening the National Council of BULAF;
3. Consideration, discussion and vote on the Rules of the Internal Labour Order of BULAF;
4. Miscellaneous:
4.1. Consideration and discussion of issues related to the implementation of the decisions of the Board of BULAF taken in the first 9 months of 2025;
4.2. Examining, discussing and taking decisions of principle on issues related to the planning of the work of the Management Board of BULAF for the last 3 months of 2025;
4.3. Discussion and decision-making on current issues related to the work of the National Quality Council, the Ethics Committee and the Control Committee of BULAF;
4.4. Examination, discussion and decision making of principled decisions on organizational proposals related to the powers and order of work of the Management Board of BULAF.4.5. Determination of the date or period of holding of the next regular meeting of the Management Board under the procedure of Art.
4.6. Examination and decision-making on submitted proposals under the procedure of Art. 7, para. 4 of the PDUS of BLAF.

Dear colleagues from the Management Board of BULAF, I would like to inform you that pursuant to Article 7(4) of the PDUS you may request the inclusion and decision of new issues in the agenda of the meeting, and these requests will be subject to discussion and vote and when adopted will be considered as item 4.6 of the previously announced agenda.
In relation to the type and nature of the issues to be discussed at the meeting, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of BSLAF shall invite the Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons and members of the National Quality Council, the Ethics Committee and the Control Committee of BSLAF to attend the meeting of the Board of Directors of BSLAF.

With respect,

Alexander Alexandrov,
Chairman of the Board of BSLAF

BUPAF 2025-08-22

General Assembly RK Shumen – 09.09.2025

The Media About Us BUPAF 2025-08-14

Zdrave.net: Galina Zaharieva: Video surveillance in emergency centers protects medics

Aggression is not only against the medics. Unfortunately, it has established itself as a model of behavior and culture. There is no way to isolate doctors' offices from the rest of society. This is what Galina Zaharieva, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Union of Medical Assistants and Paramedics, told BGNES.

“Aggression is ubiquitous, both verbal and physical, and perhaps a sense of impunity increases rather than reduces aggression in society. Unfortunately, the medics who work in the emergency services and are on the front line face some of the most unpleasant manifestations of aggression in society.

When a person is in an emergency, he is also not very adequate. Everyone reacts differently. But anyway, it is part of our daily lives and we have to adapt, we have no other choice," Zaharieva added.

She explained that this attitude pushes people away from the profession.

"In order to improve the situation, reforms are required in many sectors of public life, serious statesmanship is needed and the sense of impunity must not progress. But in particular, we appeal to employers to take measures to secure workplaces – through video surveillance or live security, as the working medics in emergency centres in small towns, especially at night, are alone. This in turn is due to the lack of staff in the system – people in the teams are kept to a minimum and difficult to work with. When a person works alone and the risk is great. In general, the medical profession is a risky profession. But at least put video surveillance to feel a little bit of a bit protected. This is disciplinary and works,” Zaharieva said.

According to her, the personnel crisis in the system gave birth to a not very smooth medical specialist-patient relationship. "Most colleagues are overworked, not as patient as they should be, but in such conditions we are all patients and workers. It is difficult for everyone," Zaharieva said.

Asked how she would encourage the medics, Zaharieva said that they should not give up because this is a good humane profession. “We know that the medical profession carries a risk. We know the conditions under which work is done, but I strongly hope that the statesmen will understand and make the relevant decisions so as to improve the conditions in the work system, which would also increase the quality of the medical service. Serious healthcare reforms are needed because under these working conditions it is not good for workers or patients," she said.

You can read the post on Zdrave.net via the button below.

The Media About Us BUPAF 2025-08-14

BULAF Deputy Chairman Galina Zaharieva in an interview with BGNES commented on the aggression towards the medics

Cases of aggression are repelled by the medical profession, and especially by work in the emergency room. Serious statesmanship is needed, the feeling of impunity must not progress.

Aggression is not only against Bulgarian medics. Aggression has become a model of behavior and culture in recent times. This requires serious state thinking in many sectors.

This was stated in an interview for BGNES by Galina Zaharieva, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Union of Medical Assistants and Paramedics (BSLAF).

Aggression towards medics in Bulgaria is not a precedent, but a serious problem that has existed in our country for years. Just a week ago, we witnessed another case of aggression when a drunken man attacked the paramedic on duty in the Emergency Medical Aid Branch (EMA) in the building of the Berkovitsa General Hospital.

About what needs to happen in order to prevent such cases in the future, how it explains this aggression towards Bulgarian medics and why it manifests itself, BGNES talked with the Deputy Chairman of BULAF Zaharieva.

“We cannot isolate the doctor’s office from the rest of society,” she said, noting that aggression is ubiquitous, both verbal and physical, and perhaps the feeling of impunity is increasing rather than reducing aggression in society.

Cases of aggression are repelled by the medical profession, and especially by work in the emergency room.

According to her, the medics who work in the emergency services and are on the front line face one of the most unpleasant manifestations of aggression in society.

“When a person is in an emergency, he is also not very adequate. Everyone reacts differently. But anyway, it is part of our daily lives and we have to adapt, we have no other choice," Zaharieva added.

When asked how all this stress affects the medics and whether there is fear in them at work, she replied that it is not a matter of fear, it is rather unpleasant and pushes people away from the profession.

“This is one of the reasons why some of them do not want to work in these jobs,” added BLAF Vice-President.

Serious statesmanship is needed, the feeling of impunity must not progress.

In order to prevent this aggression and to have a lasting improvement of the situation, reforms are required in many sectors of public life, Zaharieva believes.

In particular, she appealed to employers to take measures to secure workplaces – by video surveillance or live security – as the working medics in emergency centres in small towns, especially at night, are alone. This in turn is due to the lack of staff in the system – people in the teams are kept to a minimum and difficult to work with.

“There is one person on shift who works alone and there is a high risk. In general, the medical profession is a risky profession. But at least put video surveillance to make them feel a little bit protected", Zaharieva called, explaining that this acts disciplinary and has been proven to work because when the patient knows they have video surveillance and reacts differently to the situation.

We cannot rely solely on appeals and the conscience of patients - this is the state of society as a whole, added the Vice-President of BULAF.

Punishment is the final stage, Zaharieva believes. She drew attention to the fact that there are regular reports of aggression in the media as early as childhood.

"That is why I say that aggression has become a model of behaviour that requires serious statesmanship in many sectors, both in education and in justice," said the Vice-President of BLAF and called on the media to pay more attention to the prevention of aggression and the upbringing of the young generation.

Zaharieva appealed to the society and to the rulers: “Keep your health professionals, because I was them. Aggression against them will not make things better. We are aware that the personnel crisis in the system is giving rise to a not-so-smooth medical specialist-patient relationship. Most colleagues are overworked, not as patient as they should be, but in such conditions we are all patients and workers. It's hard for everyone.”

Asked what she would say to encourage medics, she urged them not to give up because it's a nice humane profession. “We know that it carries a risk. We know the conditions under which work is done, but I very much hope that the statesmen will understand and make the relevant decisions so as to improve the conditions in the working system, which would also improve the quality of the medical service", said Zaharieva and reiterated that serious reforms in healthcare are needed, because under these working conditions it is not good either for the workers or for the patients.

In conclusion, she added that she strongly hopes that our society will go in a more positive direction and change the pattern of behavior, because we see for ourselves that this does not lead to anything good for anyone. ⁇ BGNES

The publication and video in BGNES can be accessed via the button below.

News BUPAF 2025-08-14

BSLAF and UMHAT ‘Sv. Ekaterina’ signed a memorandum of cooperation

“Doctoral assistants are a hidden resource that has not yet been used qualitatively to solve the staffing problem of Bulgarian healthcare. They are multifunctional specialists who can provide both health care and independently perform routine medical activities, as well as those under the supervision of a doctor. In this sense, medical assistants can be involved in all areas of healthcare.’ This was stated by the Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Union of Medical Assistants and Paramedics (UBLAF) Alexander Alexandrov at the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the professional association and the St. Ekaterina University Hospital. The signing of the memorandum was signed by the President of BULAF and the Executive Director of St. Ekaterina University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Petkov, MD. By signing the memorandum, the two parties declared their willingness to build a sustainable framework of partnership and cooperation aimed at the implementation of good medical practices, the development of human resources in healthcare, the promotion of postgraduate and continuing education, and the implementation of joint initiatives for the benefit of patients and society.

“With the Memorandum, we show that when stakeholders work in one direction, in the mutual interest and in the interest of patients, things work out,” Mr Alexandrov further said. We are categorical that united together and respecting the place, importance, responsibility of each medical professional and in a team, we could do so to quickly solve the problem of personnel deficit. The only winner is the Bulgarian patient," he said.

"The ambition of our professional organization is to train more medical assistants in Bulgarian universities and to have staff resources to support Bulgarian healthcare", added Mr. Alexandrov.

"One of the main problems facing the health system in the country is the severe shortage of medical staff. With this memorandum, we declare our clear will to work to fill this deficit through joint initiatives, training and motivation of new staff and to improve patient care,” stressed Prof. Dimitar Petkov. "Health is a team effort and today we show that bringing together the different medical professions is the key to success. I believe that this memorandum is only the first step. We have a lot of work to do, but I am convinced that together we will achieve results that will be felt by both the medical community and society", added the director of the St. Catherine University Hospital.

Ms. Galina Zaharieva, Deputy Chairwoman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, pointed out that paramedics and medical assistants are well known in the country, but mainly in outpatient and emergency care. ‘There is no tradition in our country of practising the profession in hospital care, but there is interest from both medical institutions and medical assistants. Our ambition is to achieve what our colleagues in other countries have achieved," she said. Analysis of BSLAF shows that worldwide medical assistants with appropriate postgraduate training are very well positioned in almost all structures of medical institutions. “Our profession is multifunctional and can be implemented anywhere. In this sense, we also strive to integrate medical assistants in medical institutions in Bulgaria,” explained Ms Zaharieva.

The Deputy Director of St. Ekaterina University Hospital, Mr. Georgi Naydenov, stressed that the hospital is a pioneer in the field of cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery, and with the new partnership it continues to build on its development. “We show colleagues how to work between health institutions and professional organisations. The lack of medical staff is a serious challenge, and with this fruitful cooperation, I hope we can overcome it. In addition to giving way to young professionals, it will also have a positive economic effect – in the last year alone, the hospital has increased its activity by more than 30%. We are convinced that this partnership will be of great benefit to both sides," said Mr Naydenov.

Mr Dimitar Dimitrov, Head of Unit, University Hospital ‘St. Ekaterina’ presented good practices around the world, including in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, where the assistance of the medical assistant is relied upon. ‘Of course, the doctor’s assistant’s actions are under medical supervision. The report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2016 to 2026, doctors' assistants will grow by 37 percent.% and it is the fastest growing profession in the United States," said Mr Dimitrov. According to the analysis of St. Ekaterina” the work of the medical team can be eased by including a medical assistant to assist, cooperate and relieve the doctor to some extent,” stressed Mr Dimitrov. He explained that the university hospital could also, through specialisations, train staff to apply what they have learned on the ground in emergency medical centres and affiliates outside major cities in the country, where mainly medical assistants (feldchers) work. According to him, a medical institution with a new approach to training can give more skills, abilities and knowledge to cope with the new challenges facing them. Dimitrov noted the possibility for medical assistants to also be involved in the activities of the Aerial Emergency Medical Service at the St. Petersburg Helicopter Site. Catherine’.

As a new start to the development of a profession for all young medical assistants who want to develop and follow an extremely professional path, the signing of the memorandum was decided by the head of the Emergency Medical Aid Branch - Panagyurishte and Secretary General of BULAF Hristo Ivanov. According to him, the document creates new opportunities for his colleagues who want to develop in the field of emergency care, primary care and in all structures where medical assistants are currently implemented. “As a frame of the emergency medical centres, I can say that through the cooperation with “St. Ekaterina" we could build on our knowledge and skills and be even more useful to our patients and to the medical institution". He added that medical assistants are increasingly seeking additional qualifications.

After the signing of the memorandum, there will be further talks between representatives of the two countries on the development of policies and strategies on how the capacity of the medical assistant (feldshera) in the medical institution can be used.