Sofia, June 3 (BTA) - Since the beginning of the COVID-19
pandemic, Bulgaria has been chaotic in managing and funding the
health crisis, which has led to an enormous waste of vaccine
resources, tests, medicinal products, equipment and capital,
according to an analysis by the Bulgarian Institute for Legal
Initiatives (BILI) presented at BTA's National Press Club on
Thursday.

The analysis covers the period from March 2020 to March 2021.
BILI is Bulgaria's representative in the Effective Combat
against Corruption international project, funded by the US State
 Department.
   
The revoke of the Public Procurement Act creates an environment
for corruption and opportunities for misappropriation of
State-budget and EU operational funds, and for profiteering
amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a disproportion between
the funding for measures to curb the pandemic and the results
achieved when considering the number of hospitalized patients,
the cost of their treatment, and the number of fatalities in
2020, including COVID-19 deaths.

BILI warns that there is lobbyism in the selection of vaccine
makers and suppliers of medications, disinfectants, medical
equipment and other health-related products. The price formation
 of COVID-19 tests serves corporate rather than the public
interest, and people are forced to pay for these tests, in some
cases unlawfully.

According to the experts of BILI, there are no clearly defined
principles and criteria for the methodology of remuneration of
medical and nonmedical front-line personnel. The numerous
revisions in the methodology seem to have been made just so no
one is disgruntled and there is no noise in the system, which
would create additional obstacles before the incumbents in their
 effort to deal with the crisis.

The analysis underscores the lack of transparency and
accountability in the donation campaign.

BILI also points out that there is no real State control on the
measures to curb the COVID-19 crisis, which could be interpreted
 as a refusal to assume this responsibility. The vaccination
campaign launched by the government is slow and chaotic, which
only increases its chances to fail, according to the experts.

NV/MT