Dr. Ivan Barbov: I recommended Iva Mihailova seek treatment in Bulgaria because she is a Bulgarian citizen
Barbov says recommendation was based on Bulgarian citizenship and insurance; health inspectors are checking Clinic of Neurology records while Mihailova is hospitalised in Sofia.
Dr. Ivan Barbov, a neurologist at the University Clinic of Neurology in Skopje, said he recommended that patient Iva Mihailova receive treatment in Bulgaria because she holds Bulgarian citizenship and Bulgarian health insurance covered the costs. Barbov told local media he did not know Mihailova was being prosecuted for a traffic accident with fatal consequences at the time he made the recommendation.
Health inspectors review clinic records after publication of a medical report
Barbov said Mihailova first appeared at the Clinic about one and a half months after the traffic incident, was hospitalized for three days, and that he diagnosed a fractured vertebra that affected her mobility. He told Kanal 5 that the treatment methods he suggested were available nearer in Bulgaria than in domestic hospitals.
Barbov’s written medical report came under scrutiny after a facsimile from the "Moj termin" system was published showing his recommendation for treatment abroad. He defended his decision, saying the recommendation was driven by her insurance status.
"The recommendation for treatment in Bulgaria was primarily because she is a Bulgarian citizen and has Bulgarian health insurance. In that sense it was the recommendation. At that time I did not know (about the traffic incident), there are institutions that should take care of that. And I listed some treatment methods there that could help her," Barbov said.
The director of the Clinic, Jovan Bozhinovski, confirmed that no formal collegial review had been held to produce a consiliary opinion for overseas treatment and asked the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate to check the clinic’s treatment protocols for Mihailova. Both Bozhinovski and Barbov have given statements to inspectors.
Meanwhile, Mihailova is being treated at Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, where hospital spokespeople confirmed she was admitted and is undergoing further diagnostic tests and therapy. The Bulgarian Interior Ministry said it has not taken measures to locate her and that, under Bulgaria’s constitution, Bulgarian citizens cannot be extradited to face criminal prosecution abroad.
Prosecutors in Kochani obtained a 30-day detention order against Mihailova and a national and international warrant was issued. The Macedonian Minister of Health, Sasho Klekovski, said the patient’s departure preceded the arrival of a Bulgarian medical consilium and expressed confidence that reviews by domestic and foreign doctors would show there was no medical reason for treatment abroad.
Photo: Printskrin
