News

12 May 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva officially launched the “Life and Health” campaign during a meeting with elderly people from a pensioners’ club in the Vazrazhdane district of Sofia. The idea behind the initiative is for the Ombudsman and a team of her experts to meet with elderly people across the country to hear their concerns and propose solutions.

“How often we say ‘May you live a long and healthy life’ without stopping to think about the profound human dream behind those words—that a person may live in peace, with dignity, and without fear of tomorrow. And the truth is that many elderly people today do not live in comfort, said Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva in her opening remarks to the attendees.

The “Life and Health” campaign also highlights the importance of elderly health and prevention as key factors in reducing chronic non-communicable diseases—such as cardiovascular and oncological diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes. The main focus is on early diagnosis and access to tests that enable more effective treatment and a higher quality of life.

Dr. Tsvetelina Vladimirova from the Ramus Laboratory informed attendees about the importance of preventive testing and early diagnosis, and provided specific guidelines for maintaining good health in old age. Special packages were also offered to elderly people over 65, with prices for tests on indicators not covered by the National Health Insurance Fund reduced by half or two-thirds.

The event was also attended by Stanislav Iliev, mayor of the Vazrazhdane district in Sofia, who provided answers to pressing questions from local residents, such as what measures his administration would take regarding parking and the lack of benches, and when the trams on Line 22 would be replaced with newer and more comfortable ones.

During the meeting, it was noted that due to the high cost of living and low incomes, the Ombudsman Institution was receiving daily reports from elderly people who are forced to choose between medication, bills, and food.

According to the Ombudsman, there has been an increase in cases involving difficulties accessing health care, delays in decisions by the Regional Medical Expert Commission (TELK) and the National Medical Expert Commission (NELK), as well as refusals to admit patients to medical facilities. An example was also given of a severe case involving a patient with gangrene who was refused admission by several hospitals before the Ombudsman Institution intervened.

“Report issues, write to me, so that together we can push for solutions and real change. What I can promise is that when there’s a problem, I won’t give up until we see results,” the Ombudsman stressed.

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva assured those present that the Institution would continue to actively defend citizens’ rights and urge the relevant authorities to take tangible measures to support citizens in their golden years.