Over 40% of people with rare diseases in Bulgaria remain undiagnosed

Between 350,000 and 400,000 people in Bulgaria live with a rare disease, which represents about 5% of the country’s population. This was told to the Bulgarian News Agency by Desislava Hristakeva, Chair of the National Association for Mucopolysaccharidosis and member of the National Alliance of People with Rare Diseases, on the eve of Rare Disease Day, observed on the last day of February. The data are approximate, as there is no complete and up-to-date national registry in the country.

More than 40% of people in Bulgaria showing symptoms of a rare disease have still not been officially diagnosed, Hristakeva pointed out.

According to her, part of the treatment for rare diseases in Bulgaria is covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. However, not all patients have full access to adequate treatment due to limited funding, the high cost of therapies, and delays in including new medications in the national reimbursement list.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova
English: R. Petkova