Access to health care and contraception
In 2022 as in previous years access to healthcare is a very important part of BFPA’s work. The Association provides ongoing services in the field of sexual and reproductive health in 4 cities in Bulgaria – Stara Zagora, Rousse, Pleven and Sofia. The main target groups of the organization are young people and representatives of marginalized groups with difficult access to health and social services. BFPA performs gynecological examinations, various STI tests and provides modern contraceptives. More than 10,000 women and men use these services annually. In the previous year counseling and testing for syphilis was added as well as referrals for gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
Partnerships with various municipal structures and with OB/GYN specialists as well as the collaboration with the National Network of health Mediators allow BFPA to provide contraceptives in many other locations country-wide. This way the organization geographic scope expands and with it the possibilities for access to contraception and specialized medical care. At the same time, as part of other initiatives we have the possibility to work directly with the target groups. For example, as part of the project Mobile services, education and trafficking prevention for women in rural areas of Bulgaria the BFPA has been providing gynecological examinations, tests and contraceptives in 16 settlements for the last 5 years. The Association had a similar approach while executing projects targeted at Roma people and other socially marginalized societies in the areas of Yambol, Burgas, Ruse, Pazardzhik, Montana, Dobrich, Sliven, Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora, Shumen and Razgrad.
The activities related to providing access to health care - especially in the area of sexual and reproductive health - are funded form various sources:
• With funding from international partners, the main donor being the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Norway Financial mechanism
• With funding from municipalities
• With self-financing
• In 2021 at BFPA's static and mobile clinics, and also through community based activities, SRH services were delivered to over 10 000 clients, more than half of which are considered "vulnerable".
• The Covid-19 pandemic made us turn our attention to online counselling.
• In 2006 BFPA registered its own health center in Sofia (owned 100% by the BFPA) with the idea the generated income to be used for execution of social projects around the country. It is still not generating large funds but it is part of our vision for the future. You can find out more about the health centre at www.semeinoplanirane.com
