Funds from the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020 will provide medical equipment, medicines, tests and protective equipment to combat coronavirus

The government approved an amendment to the Operational Programme “Regions in growth” 2014-2020 (OPRG) in order to redirect funds to combat COVID-19, as part of the measures aiming to prepare the national health system to cope with the emergency situation and the growing number of patients . The OPRG will mobilise over BGN 40 million of European and national funds to help the medical institutions in Bulgaria to react effectively in the unprecedented situation.

Funding will be provided from unnegotiated or saved so far resources under the operational programme. They will be redirected to the priority axis “Regional Health Infrastructure”. The funds will be used for the purchase of equipment for hospital infectious wards such as inhalers and respirators, as well as to supply medicines, consumables, tests, protective clothing, personal protective equipment, masks, etc. products and services needed to strengthen the capacity of medical institutions in the country to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

The support will be provided to the Ministry of Health, which will determine the type and number of equipment and medical supplies to be purchased, based on an ongoing analysis of the situation, estimates of the spread of the infection and planned government measures.

The amendment of the programme became possible as a result of the amendments proposed by the European Commission in the General Regulation for the management of European Structural and Investment Funds in connection with specific measures to mobilise investment in Member States’ health systems and other sectors of their economies in response to the spread of COVID-19.