In Bulgaria, the first association of doctors appeared in 1880 in Sofia under the name “Physico-Medical Society”. It was founded by Dr. Dimitar Mollov, and the main purpose of the society was to discuss medical and professional issues, prophylaxis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases. The idea of creating an association of doctors in Bulgaria also occurred to Dr. Stoyko Yurdanov two years earlier. On March 12, 1878, he prepared a letter from Turno Severin to the Tarnovo physician Dr. Ivan Slavkov with a call to establish a society. In his letter, Dr. Yurdanov writes:
As we gathered with several of our brothers, as we remembered the sufferings of our Bulgarian brothers whom we know as doctors and medical licentiates………, who are scattered in different places, we decided to address all the above-mentioned brothers to come to an understanding, discuss and decide, all together, and form a medical society that would unite us, bring us closer and even enrich our special medical knowledge. With this society, we will show the educated nations that we wish to work and follow the path of educated and free nations.
During his lifetime, he did not manage to see his idea realized, but on December 10, 1883, nine physicians created the Varna Medical Society. Dr. Mikhail V. Ignatiev was elected as chairman, and among the members was Dr. Boris Abramovich Oks – founder of the first Bulgarian institute for the production of smallpox vaccine.
- Ruse society
In 1895, the Ruse Scientific Medical Society was established, and two years later, a similar organization emerged in Plovdiv. The initiative spread to the cities of Vratsa, Lovech, Pleven, Shumen, Sofia, and others. In 1900, on the initiative of the Plovdiv Medical Society, the unification of 14 similar organizations in the country into the Union of Doctors in Bulgaria began. The idea was supported by the society in Varna, and in 1901, the first Medical Assembly was held, at which the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) was practically established.
Thus, the professional organization of doctors in Bulgaria is the second worldwide professional association of physicians. The initial task of the organization was to protect the interests of the medical profession and to determine their fees. Gradually, its role and functions expanded, and it grew into an important factor in organizing medical care in the country. Due to the lack of a Ministry of Health at that time, the BMA even determined health policy.
- THE BEGINNING
The first chairman of the BMA was Dr. Dimitar Mollov. Until 1947, many important rules for practicing the medical profession, moral and ethical standards, and financial relationships between doctor and patient were adopted. At the Second Medical Assembly, delegates decided to publish their own printed organ called “Chronicles of the Medical Union”. Membership during this period was mandatory.
In 1947, the BMA was closed by the communist authorities, and the properties it owned were confiscated, its activists became objects of various persecutions. In the time when the union did not exist, the authorities inflicted enormous damage on the medical profession, transforming doctors from free creative individuals into state employees at the lowest social level. This was followed by the abolition of private practice in 1971.
During these years, the medical profession did not have its own professional organization but was part of the so-called trade union of health workers – a puppet organization serving the authorities.
After the democratic changes in 1989, the gradual unification of the guild began, with 28 independent regional societies being created, which became the foundation for the restoration of the BMA on a national scale. At the beginning of 1990, the BMA was restored and Prof. Dr. Ivan Kirov was the first elected leader at the 27th Restoration Assembly. Initially, temporary vice-presidents were elected – Prof. Dr. Dimitar Radonov (who had the courage to publicly speak in support of the restoration of the BMA even during the totalitarian regime), Dr. Trias Mavromatis, and Dr. Emil Peychev. The publication of the national printed organ of the organization was restored, now under the name “Quo vadis”. In November 1990, other deputy chairmen were elected – Dr. Ivan V. Ivanov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milan Milanov, and Dr. Atanas Shterev.
Two years later, the surgeon from ISUL, Dr. Dimitar Ignatov, was appointed chairman of the BMA. He led the BMA for a total of 10 years. During the same period (1992-2002), the general secretary of the BMA was Dr. Stoyan Botev, MD. During the subsequent mandates, the deputy chairmen were Dr. Anton Vazharov, Dr. Drago Zhelev, Dr. Ilko Semerdzhiev, Dr. Petko Kasabov, Dr. Milan Milanov, and Dr. Andrey Kehayov. During this period, doctors and dentists were members of a single organization registered under the Law on Persons and Families.
The circumstances to be entered in the respective register are also specified. It is provided that doctors and dentists are responsible for violations committed by them in the performance of their professional duties. Appropriate penalties are also defined. An obligation of the Council of Ministers, regional governors and municipalities is also regulated to provide the BMA and UDB with state or municipal property necessary for their activities within a specified period. In conclusion, it was accepted that the Bulgarian Medical Association is the legal successor of the Bulgarian Medical Association established in 1901, and the Union of Dentists in Bulgaria is the successor of the Bulgarian Dental Union from 1905. This law is considered the greatest success of the then leadership of the Union because it effectively takes the organization to a new level and transforms it into an institution with a new identity and powers. In addition to being chairman of the BMA, Dr. D. Ignatov was also a member of parliament.
- NEW BEGINNING
In 2008, the leadership did not comply with the Statute and the Law on Professional Organizations of Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacists, and Medical Nurses, and more than 6 months after the expiration of the mandate, refused to convene a regular assembly to elect new governing bodies, despite the request of three-quarters of the regional colleges. This necessitated a change in the law. A text was added stating that if an assembly is not convened within the specified deadlines, it is scheduled by the Minister of Health. The amendment was unanimously voted in parliament. Thus, the Minister of Health, Dr. Evgeny Zhelev, obliged by the National Assembly to set the date of the assembly, issued an order convening a regular reporting and election assembly of the BMA on January 9-11, 2009, in Sofia. Doctors from all over the country attended, and with an absolute quorum, a new leadership of the union was elected with Dr. Bozhidar Nanev, a doctor with three surgical specialties, from Varna, as chairman. The deputy chairmen were Dr. Tsvetan Raychinov and Dr. Stefan Konstantinov from Kyustendil (gynecologist). On January 18-21, 2009, Dr. Andrey Kehayov convened an alternative assembly in Sandanski, where, due to the symbolic presence of doctors, the assembly could not be legitimized as legal. A report for the past mandate was presented, and due to lack of quorum, the forum was closed. Meanwhile, the newly elected leadership of the BMA was recognized by all official institutions – the National Assembly, parliamentary parties, the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Fund, international organizations in which the BMA is a member.
On July 27, 2009, Parliament voted for the first cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, and the then chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, Dr. Bozhidar Nanev, was elected as Minister of Health. On October 17, 2009, the 47th Extraordinary Reporting and Election Assembly elected Dr. Tsvetan Raychinov – an obstetrician-gynecologist from Ruse, until then deputy chairman of the BMA, as chairman of the professional organization. On October 6, 2010, the deputy chairman of the BMA, Dr. St. Konstantinov, was elected Minister of Health, after the replacement of Prof. Anna-Maria Borisova. His place was taken by Dr. Yuliyan Yordanov, who won the election at the 51st Extraordinary Assembly of the BMA. The main tasks the Union worked hard on were issues of professional ethics. Large teams of representatives from the scientific medical community, experts, and well-known Bulgarian medical specialists participated in their implementation.
The Bulgarian Medical Association continues to defend the interests of the profession, which are also the interests of the entire society – it is concerned about the lack of political will to complete the health reform, the lack of a clear strategy for the development of healthcare in Bulgaria, as well as the large number of Bulgarian doctors who have chosen to continue their professional careers abroad. This presupposes a number of meetings, conversations, discussions with the Ministry of Health, with the parliamentary committee of the same name, with scientific and public organizations, as well as the preparation of projects for changes in the existing laws for professional organizations, health law, law on healthcare establishments, etc. Through the good contacts established with international organizations of which the BMA is a member, foreign experience in the field of healthcare management is studied, the practices of medical chambers in the system of continuing education and qualification, development of rules for good practice, and valuation of medical work are sought. These are also the priorities the organization works on within the framework of the leadership’s mandate until March 2012.
On March 9-11, 2012
The 54th reporting and election assembly of the BMA is held. With the vote of 2/3 of the delegates, the chairman of the BMA, Dr. Tsvetan Raychinov, is re-elected. The two deputy chairmen, Dr. Yuliyan Yordanov and Dr. Georgi Stavrakev, as well as the general secretary, Dr. Dimitar Lenkov, are unanimously re-elected. The Ethics Commission is headed by Dr. Petko Zagorchev (Shumen), and the Control Commission by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lyubomir Aleksiev (MMA-Sofia). In this way, the highest forum of the Union votes confidence in its leadership for another three-year mandate.
On may 8, 2015
The 63rd regular reporting and election assembly of the BMA is held. Dr. Ventsislav Grozev is elected chairman of the BMA, deputy chairmen - Prof. Dr. Ognyan Hadzhiyski and Dr. Galinka Pavlova, as well as the general secretary Dr. Stoyan Borisov. The Ethics Commission is headed by Dr. Petko Zagorchev, and the Control Commission by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stoyan Sopotenski. For the first time, a chairman of the Accreditation Council is voted as a new structure related to continuing education. Dr. Yulian Yordanov is elected as its chairman.
On June 8-10, 2018
The 68th regular reporting and election assembly of the BMA is held. Dr. Ivan Madzharov is elected chairman of the BMA, deputy chairmen - Prof. Dr. Nikolay Gabrovski and Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, as well as the general secretary Dr. Stoyan Borisov. The Ethics Commission is headed by Dr. Yulia Byankova, and the Control Commission by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stoyan Sopotenski.
On September 18, 2021
The 72nd regular Reporting and Election Assembly of the BMA is held on September 18, 2021, in unusual circumstances due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. With 324 votes for the next 3-year term, Dr. Ivan Madzharov is re-elected as chairman of the professional organization. Dr. Nikolay Branzalov and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Shivachev are elected as deputy chairmen. The Assembly appoints Dr. Valentin Peev as general secretary. The following members join the Management Board of the BMA: Dr. Vanya Dobreva, Dr. Nikolay Kolev, Dr. Gergana Nikolova, Dr. Valeri Veselinov, Dr. Rosen Aykov, Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Sopotenski, Dr. Yordan Gechev, Dr. Ivo Parunov, Dr. Zhanina Kalinkova, Prof. Dr. Milena Staneva, Prof. Dr. Ognyan Hadzhiyski. The Assembly puts Dr. Metodi Kunchev at the head of the Control Commission, and the Central Commission on Professional Ethics is headed by Prof. Dr. Maya Argirova. The delegates of the Assembly also adopt a declaration calling on society to get vaccinated, and for the state control bodies to enter their role more decisively and take the necessary measures to prevent corrupt practices related to the issuance and use of false vaccination certificates.
On September 28, 2024
During the 77th regular reporting and election assembly of the Bulgarian Medical Association, with 252 votes, the delegates elected Dr. Nikolay Branzalov as chairman of the Professional Organization. The previous chairman for two consecutive terms, Dr. Ivan Madzharov, was elected as deputy chairman of the BMA. The other deputy chairman is Dr. Valeri Veselinov. For members of the MB of the BMA, the delegates voted confidence in: Dr. Nikolay Kolev, Dr. Genka Peycheva, Dr. Georgi Mindov, Assoc. Prof. Georgi Todorov, Dr. Ivo Parunov, Dr. Kiril Nedyalkov, Dr. Maria Ganchevska, Prof. Ognyan Hadzhiyski, Dr. Rosen Aykov, Dr. Hristo Dimitrov, and Prof. Hristo Shivachev. Dr. Valentin Peev was re-elected as general secretary of the BMA with 322 votes. Two women take the lead of the commissions to the BMA. Dr. Vanya Dobreva-Pavlova was elected as chairwoman of the Control Commission, and Prof. Maya Argirova heads the Central Commission on Professional Ethics for the second time.
