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150 children on waiting list for heart surgery due to nursing shortage

Photo: Georgi Korneikov, BNR

An estimated 150 children are waiting for surgery at the National Heart Hospital's pediatric clinic. 

A shortage of nurses has resulted in the paediatric intensive care unit operating at 50% of its capacity. Only four of its eight beds are being used, public broadcaster BNT reported. 

The waiting list is constantly growing, as this is the only facility in Bulgaria where children with congenital heart malformations can be operated on. Limited elective admissions during the pandemic further delayed planned operations and also contributed to the growth of the waiting list. Staff are trying to catch up with overtime.



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