In Sofia, Labour and Social Policy Minister Natalia Efremova announced on Friday during parliamentary question time that her ministry is moving forward with plans to provide integrated health and social residential care services for 43 elderly people who cannot care for themselves in the Montana Region. The proposal will see new units built in Lom, Montana, and Chiprovtsi – 12, 23 and 8 residents respectively – and is backed by a €7 million allocation from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. All facilities are slated to operate by 1 January 2035.
The minister noted that Montana Region currently hosts three care homes, serving an additional 229 residents. Her announcement also outlined an expansion of the National Map of Social Services, which anticipates further residential care services for 121 retirement‑age residents across the region. The total planned capacity for the new facilities, under the “Support for Integrated Urban Development” component, will accommodate 91 people, including those requiring comprehensive health and social support.
While construction and full equipment are covered by state funds, additional EU‑backed support is available to municipalities that apply for the programme. The minister emphasized that the State also funds in‑home assistance, currently benefiting 498 people throughout the 11 municipalities of the region, and extending to 2,683 individuals with disabilities under the Personal Assistance Act.
The integrated care model seeks to supplement existing institutions, prioritising at‑home assistance and gradually closing specialized institutions. The Minister’s announcement in Parliament signals a shift toward broader, quality‑standard residential care set to be fully operational by the start of 2035.
