The construction of the Multi-profile Children’s Hospital in Burgas, considered the most significant healthcare project in Southeast Bulgaria, has entered its final stage, bringing the long-awaited facility close to opening its doors.
Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov described the hospital as his greatest hope for the coming year, calling it “the most meaningful project, the biggest dream, the biggest challenge” for the seaside city, in a holiday social media post.
A total of 77 million leva has been invested in the construction and state-of-the-art equipment of the hospital, which is expected to significantly improve access to pediatric healthcare for families across the region.
Although the building phase is nearing completion, Mayor Nikolov emphasized that several formal procedures remain before the hospital becomes fully operational. These include obtaining Act 14, Act 15, and Act 16 certificates, which confirm various stages of construction compliance under Bulgarian law.
The hospital must also receive a certificate of fitness from the Ministry of Health. Once this process is finalized, the municipality plans to apply for a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund, potentially as early as the beginning of next year.
“Once we receive these documents, we are practically ready to start work,” Nikolov explained, noting that final operations depend on licenses and permits still to be issued by several institutions.
Designed to serve the entire Southeast Bulgaria region, the hospital will offer comprehensive treatment for children, with a total capacity of 142 beds and a fully equipped pediatric emergency department.
Beyond its medical importance, the project has become a symbol of rare political unity. According to the mayor, representatives from all political parties, including municipal councilors, have unanimously supported the hospital, even during years marked by repeated parliamentary elections.
“This is an example of something meaningful behind which, when we unite, things work out,” Nikolov said, highlighting the collaborative effort that sustained the project through political instability.
Staff recruitment is already well underway, with more than 400 applications submitted so far. A competitive procedure has also been launched to appoint the hospital’s manager, signaling readiness for full-scale operations.
Once operational, the Burgas Children’s Hospital is expected to reshape pediatric healthcare in the region, offering accessible, modern, and high-quality medical services for thousands of families.