By Aylin Dzhafer | Head of Gifts and Partnerships
Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to create a space where essential healthcare services can be within reach for vulnerable mothers and babies in Sofia. Today, we proudly celebrate the 5th anniversary of the medical center in Fakulteta - a place where health, hope, and community meet.
From its inception, the medical center has been more than just a healthcare facility—it has been a beacon of compassion, inclusivity, and resilience. In the past five years, the medical center has welcomed more than a thousand kids and parents, offering accessible and highly-critical medical services that are vital to the well-being of the community, especially its children.
From its get-go, the medical center was equipped and kept running with private donations and the goodwill of the doctors who provided time, expertise and emotional support to their patients and the team behind the center. Thank you and happy birthday to all who donated - you have touched the lives of more than a thousand people by making it possible for them to receive key medical care! We then vouched that together, we will make sure that no child or pregnant woman is left behind and we will continue our journey alongside them.
Fakulteta neighborhood has a population of approximately 40 000 and according to some estimations, it is the neighborhood with the largest number of children in Sofia. Currently, there is only one general practitioner seeing patients, present twice a week in Fakulteta neighborhood. This means that, without the medical center and the doctors who see patients there, a vast part of the moms and babies would remain without any medical support.
The dedicated doctors and the team of the Health and Social Development Foundation on whose premises the center is located, make sure that everyone who walks through the doors receives the care and follow-up support they deserve, regardless of background or circumstances. Together, they have provided regular pediatric checks for the babies, while the pregnant women and young moms had easier access to prenatal checks and family planning and contraception support thanks to the presence of an ob-gyn in the neighborhood. The medical center also became a place for support on chronic disease management and health education, empowering the members of the community to take control of their health.
But this journey has not been ours alone. The trust, strength, and spirit of the Roma community have been at the heart of everything. In a situation of severe doctor shortages, attracting doctors willing to work with the most vulnerable members of the community has not been easy and will continue to be a challenge.
The superstar doctors Bozhkova, Poptodorov and Veselinov provided ob-gyn checks and support over these 5 years while Dr Tanya Andreeva and Dr Krasimira Baynova were there for the babies and kids in need of pediatric care.
In these 5 years, the doctors and health professionals at the medical center held more than 1000 examination and supported:
Trayanka & her baby
Dani & her hero baby-boy
Maggie & her premature baby Zdravko and his siblings
Salina and baby Radoslav
Slavka and her baby
Toni and her two kids
Little Yana and her dad
Nadka and her daughter
Sofia & her kids
and more than a thousand other patients
As we reflect on the past five years, we also look ahead with hope and determination. Our commitment to breaking down barriers to healthcare, fostering understanding, and promoting health equity remains stronger than ever. Together, we will continue to build a healthier, more inclusive future for everyone in this community.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of health, hope, and strong community!
Your support has been and will continue to be indispensable for the health of the poorest mums and kids of an already vulnerable community. Please consider donating and sharing with friends and family this festive season so we can continue our journey to a healthier future!
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By Kamelia Tzeneva | Project Lead
By Kamelia Tzeneva | Project Lead
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