IMPROVEMENT OF LIFE QUALITY OF THE UKRAINIAN CITIZENS: MEETINGS IN VARNA
“Astra Forum” Foundation actively continues its efforts for improving the life quality of citizens from Ukraine, accommodated in our country. In the end of August, with the support of the regional office of the World health Organization in Bulgaria, numerous consulting meetings were initiated with parents of Ukrainian children. Between the 25 th and the 27 th of August, the foundation team and doctor Valentina Pronoza, a paediatrician with long term practice who lives in Bulgaria since the beginning of 2022 held three consecutive events in Varna, aimed at the parents of Ukrainian children. The main highlights of the meetings with doctor Pronoza were on health care after children and the issues of vaccine prophylactics. Ukrainian parents received particular information about the medical system and practices in Bulgaria which would help them fit in the new environment easily and provide the best cares after their children.
Doctor Pronoza provided an exhaustive explanation of differences between the vaccination calendars of Bulgaria and Ukraine. She highlighted the opportunity for the parents to take advantage of the free vaccines in our country and underlined that vaccines in Bulgaria have been produced in Europe thus their high quality and safety are guaranteed compared to the vaccines used in Ukraine. The information received by the parents about increase of children’s health protection via better and safer vaccines would provide them with incentive when making informed decisions in the interest of their children’s health.
Doctor Pronoza provided the parents with information in detail about administering vaccinations and examinations children in Bulgaria are supposed to undergo from their birth until turning 3, about the system of dental assistance, the ways and requirements towards the accommodation of Ukrainian children in creches, kindergartens and schools and their inclusion in the system of children cuisines. Information in detail and lists of general practitioners and doctors of various majors were provided, as well as information about the social services for children with developmental particularities, as well as examinations of pregnant women, women without health insurance and children without general practitioner.
In the end of each and every meeting, doctor Valentina Pronoza spent time for individual consulting with the parents. This personal contact was exceptionally important since it provided the parents with the opportunity to share their personal questions and worries related to the health of their children and get from her tailored answers and recommendations not only from a doctor, but from a person who is deeply compassionate with the problems of each and every Ukrainian family.
The meeting was attended by other doctors, such as doctor Toshka Atanasova and doctor Nikolas Nikos who expressed their readiness in fully supporting the Ukrainian children.
With the support of the partners of “Astra Forum” Foundation – Association “Hypophysis” represented by its chairperson Vanya Dobreva, with the cooperation of “Open heart” Foundation the first meeting of this sequence was held in the Bulgarian Ukrainian Centre in the town of Varna. With the assistance of Mrs. Tatyana Delik the next meeting was held in the recreational complex “Zheleznichar” where children with severe disabilities and special needs are accommodated and Yuliya Barko took care after the meeting with parents of the Ukrainian children located in “Zarya” hotel.
The organization of such meetings demonstrates consistency in engagements undertaken by “Astra Forum” Foundation in supporting Ukrainian citizens in Bulgaria. This creates trust and sensation of support among parents that frequently face challenges when it comes to adapting in the new country. The meetings are ongoing in the region of Varna, Pernik and Sofia. Please, follow our website for further information.
