Neurosurgery is a thoroughly complex medical specialty and it requires extremely high professionalism and dedication. That is why this year’s prestigious award of the Forum Medicus magazine went to the team of the Neurosurgery Clinic of the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital in Sofia. Professor Marin Marinov is head of the clinic where more than 2000 complex interventions are performed every year. Modern equipment is used for brain tumor surgery. More from professor Marinov:

„Our clinic has the biggest technical potential among all hospitals in Bulgaria. The clinic was established more than 70 years ago and has huge contribution for the development of neurosurgery in Bulgaria. All Bulgarian neurosurgeons specialized in this clinic. A great team of professionals has been working here for years and we keep to high medical standards. Our team consists of 120 people – doctors, nurses, and attendants. One third of neurosurgical interventions in Bulgaria are carried out here. The reason for this year’s award is the fact that we have introduced some new methods in the treatment of neurological conditions like pharmacoresistant epilepsy. This year we also won a competition for building a new high-tech operating room.”

In Bulgaria a great number of young doctors are looking for career abroad. What is the situation in the neurosurgery clinic?

„Just two people from our team went to work in clinics abroad – in Germany and England, professor Marinov says. We are glad that they have good careers there. Many young doctors leave Bulgaria as there are issues related to early specialization. I am also the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and trends regarding the career orientation of young people are alarming. Bulgaria is a member of the EU and the labor market is open. We cannot stop these people and they have the chance to start a career abroad. Some of them return to Bulgaria but this is not a stable trend.”

English version: Alexander Markov