Hristo Hinkov to step down as Minister of Health after cabinet rotation

Healthcare Minister Hristo Hinkov told journalists earlier today that he would not remain in office after the rotation of prime ministers in the cabinet, which is expected to take place in March this year. "I have the feeling that I don't have political support", he stated, emphasizing that it was his own decision to withdraw, BGNES reported.

According to him, the case of Pirogov Emergency Hospital was the last straw. Findings in an audit report caused the minister to fire the director of Pirogov, Valentin Dimitrov, for financial abuse, but the court temporarily suspended his dismissal from office and the health commission in the National Assembly insisted that the head of the hospital keep his post until the decision of the competent authorities. "The case with Pirogov has shown me that I will not be able to adequately manage this system, which needs reform, and one part of it is changing managers who have been proven to be ineffective," commented the minister. /BGNES