Implementing the Bulgarian National Health Strategy (2014–2020) towards achieving Health 2020 indicators and the SDGs

A 1-day workshop organized within the Biennial Collaborative Agreement 2016–2017, was held on 6 June in Sofia, Bulgaria to discuss implementation of the Bulgarian National Health Strategy (2014–2020) towards achieving Health 2020 indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop gathered together representatives of health, education, social affairs, foreign affairs, academia, the World Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the European Commission and civil society.

Rich discussion and open sharing added value to the workshop conclusions. The workshop demonstrated the capacities of the national public health community, the interest of the international community in providing support to Bulgaria, and the openness of civil society towards outcome-oriented policy-making that will structure the intersectoral efforts of the government and civil society to improve the health and well-being of the population.

Participants concluded that a mid-term review of the National Health Strategy 2014–2020 and its operational plan should be performed as an opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved and adapt them to the current reality; to strengthen the monitoring, evaluation, management and responsibility framework; and to localize the SDGs.

The WHO role in supporting national health policy development remains an important prerequisite for further developments, through technical support for review; policy dialogues; providing tools and instruments; and convening technical experts and stakeholders at health policy meetings to share best practices, experiences and fruitful discussions. National technical counterparts present at the meeting expressed their satisfaction with the overall support of WHO in the country and the work of the Country Office.

Participants concluded that the priorities for collaboration with WHO for the next biennium should be carefully crafted to gain support where it is most needed. National health policy development remains a priority for collaboration.