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Letter
From Council of Ministers

REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Sofia, 1, Dondukov blvd., phone 940-24-33, 940-24-15, fax 981-08-95

# 2905/03 .............2004 14.12.2004

TO MRS. RENETA STOYANOVA VARNA [address]

DEAR MRS STOYANOVA,

A letter of yours has been received at the Reception Dept. of the Council of Ministers containing proposals for ways of limiting the spread of viral infections among hemodialysis patients.

I assure you that our attitude towards all received materials is extremely responsible.

We estimate the importance of the problem which worries you. We in our turn brought your opinions to the attention of the competent bodies in the Ministry of Health.

I would like to inform you that the Medical Standard on Dialysis Treatment, accepted in March 2004, introduced requirements on its quality for patients with terminal kidney insufficiency. The standard regulates in detail the order, conditions and requirements on hemodialysis treatment, including cases of available blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B and C. The process of developing criteria and indicators for accreditation of dialysis units is also directed towards providing quality health services.

Your proposal for a Hepatitis Day is accepted principally. Several types of viral hepatitis are known, which require different preventive measures, respectively.

The government and in particular the Ministry of Health entirely support the idea of preparing and spreading educational materials about types of hepatitis, ways of spreading and prevention, etc. among patients and staff in the hemodialysis structures. This is the principal activity of the departments of Health Promotion and Prevention at Hygiene and Epidemiology Centers. You could, if you wish, approach with specific proposals the Hygiene and Epidemiology Center of Varna or directly the Directorate of Health Prophylaxis and State Sanitary Control at MH.

With regard to your proposal that the Hygiene and Epidemiology Centers be freed from subordination to the ministry, you should take into account that a Hygiene and Epidemiology Center is a regional structure and as such it implements its policy in the sphere of public health.

I assure you in our readiness to discuss any further questions posed by you.

Thank you for the trust you expressed by writing to the premier!

Director of Directorate “Governmental and Informational Office" (signature illegible)                               TSVETELINA UZUNOVA (Seal: Republic of Bulgaria, Council of Ministers)

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