In a significant development, 29 doctors from Southwest Hospital in Sandanski have tendered their resignations to the facility’s manager, Dr. Iliya Tonev.
This collective decision follows an extraordinary session of the Municipal Council convened in response to the tragic death of a newborn baby in an ambulance.
During the meeting, certain members of the local community labeled the medical staff as “murderers” and “incompetents,” leading to widespread outrage among the hospital’s personnel.
Dr. Dimitar Stanoev, head of the cardiology department, expressed the profound indignation of the medical team, stating that the accusations deeply offended the doctors.
He emphasized the need for a meeting with the municipal leadership to address the situation.
According to the doctors, as the hospital’s owner, the municipality should focus on resolving the facility’s existing challenges rather than exacerbating them with such accusations.
The medical staff has set a deadline for action. If their concerns are not addressed and meaningful steps are not taken to improve conditions at the hospital, the resignations will take effect on January 11.
This would result in the closure of several departments, significantly impacting healthcare services in the region. The doctors remain firm in their stance, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and support to ensure the hospital’s continued operation.
The incident that led to this crisis occurred when a 29-year-old woman from Sandanski gave birth in an ambulance while being transported to a hospital in Petric. The newborn tragically passed away during the journey.
This event has sparked intense discussions and criticism within the community, culminating in the extraordinary session of the Municipal Council.
The resignation of such a significant portion of the medical staff has raised concerns about the future of healthcare services in Sandanski.
The hospital’s management and municipal authorities are now under pressure to engage in meaningful dialogue with the medical staff to address their grievances and work towards a resolution that ensures the continued provision of quality healthcare to the community.
As the deadline approaches, the situation remains tense, with both the medical staff and the local community closely monitoring developments.
The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for the hospital, its staff, and the residents who rely on its services.
In the meantime, the hospital’s management is exploring contingency plans to maintain essential services in the event of the doctors’ resignations taking effect.
These plans include the possibility of recruiting temporary medical staff and collaborating with nearby healthcare facilities to ensure that patients continue to receive necessary care.
The situation at Southwest Hospital underscores the critical importance of effective communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
It also highlights the challenges faced by medical professionals in maintaining morale and delivering quality care amidst public scrutiny and organizational pressures.
As the deadline for the doctors’ resignations approaches, all eyes are on the hospital’s management and municipal authorities to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of the medical staff while ensuring the continued provision of healthcare services to the residents of Sandanski.
The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of Southwest Hospital and the well-being of the community it serves