A seminar on Women's and Children's Health in Bulgaria was held on June 17, 2021 at the French Institute in Bulgaria. The event was organized by the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation, along with the Doctors of the World Association, and was supported by the French Embassy in Bulgaria.
The topics discussed at the meeting covered the current policies, services and interventions in the country aimed at improving maternal and child health with a focus on the access to quality health and other services that have a direct impact on women's health indicators and the full development of children in a family context. Research findings from analyses of the current state of maternal and child health in the country were presented, with a focus on access to family planning services, prenatal and postnatal care, overcoming health inequalities, and opportunities for developing integrated healthcare services.
Agenda:
Moderator: Dr. Natalia Mihaylova
9.45– 10. 00 ǀ Registration of participants
10.00 – 10.15 ǀ Words of welcome by Florence Robine, Ambassador of France in Bulgaria; Sarah Perrine, Chief Executive Officer, TSA Foundation; Livia Otal, Chief Coordinator, Doctors of the World Association – Sliven Branch
10.15 – 11.30 ǀ Policies, services and interventions in support of maternal and child health – improving the access to quality prenatal care.
10.15 – 10.35 ǀ Prenatal care – a basis of child development and maternal health: Iskra Stoykova, Program Director „First Foundations“, TSA Foundation
10.35 – 10.55 ǀ Challenges to the access to prenatal care in Bulgaria
Rossitsa Milkova, Project Leader of “We Care” Project, a part of “First Foundations”, TSA Foundation
10.55 – 11.15 ǀ Potential solutions for improving the access to medical care of all pregnant women and young mothers in Bulgaria though a change on the system level: Venelin Stoychev, sociologist
11.15 – 11.30 ǀ Discussion
11.30 – 11.45 ǀ Break
11.45 – 13.00 ǀ Services in support of family planning and sexual and reproductive health
11.45 – 12.05 ǀ Presenting a report on family planning and sexual health – developments in Bulgaria, legislation, good practices, Rossitsa Kratunkova, Advocacy and Communications Officer, Doctors of the World Association
12.05 – 12.25 ǀ Discussion on the report and recommendations: Dr. Radosveta Stamenkova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association; Kamelia Dimitrova, Director of Dignita Foundation
12.25 – 12.35 ǀ Providing family planning services to women who live in poverty: Stefka Nikolova and Sofia Ivanova, community mobilizers, Doctors of the World Association; Gabriela Kazakova, nurse, Doctors of the World Association
12.35 – 12.45 ǀ The support if the local administration and the professional associations of medical doctors: Pepa Chilkova, Deputy Mayor of Sliven Municipality; Dr.Georgi Iliev, Manager of 2 Diagnostic and Consultative Center in Sliven – to be confirmed
12.45 – 13.00 ǀ Discussion
13. 00 – 13.20 ǀ Closing
Who is the seminar aimed at?
· Specialists working with children and families;
· Experts involved in the process of planning, developing, and implementing health policies for women and children;
· Representatives of national, regional and local institutions;
· Parents, activists, leaders and representatives of vulnerable groups.
With the support of the Embassy of France in Bulgaria