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90-Year-Old Doctor Still Serves Remote Bulgarian Village
22 Jul
Summary
- A 90-year-old doctor still serves patients in a Bulgarian mountain village.
- Bulgaria has the highest proportion of doctors aged 55+ in the EU.
- Young doctors avoid rural practice due to bureaucracy and low pay.
Doctor Kiril Apostolov, 90, continues his daily rounds in the remote Bulgarian mountain village of Skrat, near the Greek and North Macedonian borders. He still climbs steep streets to visit patients, a testament to the widespread issue of aging doctors in Bulgaria, especially in rural areas where replacements are scarce.
As of 2023, Bulgaria reported the highest percentage of doctors aged 55 or older in the EU, with an average age of over 61 for general practitioners. This aging medical workforce coincides with Bulgaria having the EU's lowest life expectancy, compounded by a high rate of preventable mortality.
The shortage of doctors leads to delayed diagnoses and inadequate management of chronic conditions. Doctor Apostolov, with over 1,500 patients, represents the dedication of these elder physicians. He continues working as long as he feels well and his patients are satisfied.
Young doctors are reportedly avoiding general practitioner roles, particularly in rural settings, due to burdensome bureaucracy, unappealing career trajectories, and insufficient remuneration. This situation leaves regions like Skrat vulnerable, despite the ongoing commitment of physicians like Doctor Apostolov.
