"After 20 years of delays, waiting, and analysis, we can proudly announce this small step we have taken in e-health, namely the first attempt to introduce electronic referrals in the field of medical-diagnostic activities. Ministry of Health has provided the centralized module and the opportunity for anyone who wishes to connect to it, regardless of which software service they use and how many patients they have. This way, every general practitioner will be able to use the electronic form for referrals," said Deputy Minister of Health Zheni Nacheva at the presentation of the electronic referral system.

By 11:00 AM today, nearly 200 electronic referrals had been issued. About 100 general practitioners have taken advantage of this opportunity, and they are from almost all regions of the country, Nacheva stressed.

"We introduced the electronic referral as the first step in e-health for patients who have at least two symptoms suspected of COVID-19. We want to help both healthcare facilities and patients – to be diagnosed in time, monitored by general practitioners and specialists," the Deputy Minister added.

No one with a referral for a PCR test will have to pay anything extra. The option for paper referrals remains, Nacheva added.

Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, thanked all participants in the working process for issuing electronic referrals.