Ninety-Year-Old Doctor Continues to Treat Patients in Bulgarian Villages

In the remote villages of southwestern Bulgaria, 90-year-old Dr. Kiril Apostolov remains a vital healthcare provider, diligently visiting patients almost every day. Despite reaching retirement age, Apostolov, like many doctors in Bulgaria, continues his practice due to a critical shortage of younger medical professionals, especially in rural regions.

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For now, I feel good. The work is not a burden. I will continue to work as long as I feel well and my patients are satisfied.

Apostolov navigates the steep village roads of Skrat, near the borders with Greece and North Macedonia, carrying his medical bag. His situation is emblematic of a broader trend in Bulgaria, where a significant portion of the physician workforce is aging. According to Eurostat data from 2023, 54.5% of Bulgarian doctors were at least 55 years old, the highest proportion among EU member states. The average age for general practitioners exceeds 61.

Serving over 1,500 patients across several villages, Apostolov begins his workday early, commuting from his home in Petrich to his clinic in Skrat. His patients primarily seek treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. He dedicates his afternoons to visiting patients who cannot travel to the clinic and extends his rounds to neighboring villages.

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I would gladly hand over the job to someone who wants to come and work in this area, but there are no young doctors.

"I feel good for now. The work is not a burden. I will continue to work as long as I feel well and my patients are satisfied," Apostolov stated. He expressed a willingness to hand over his practice to a younger doctor, but lamented the scarcity of new physicians willing to work in the area. Apostolov began his medical career in 1962 and has since worked in various capacities, including leading a hospital department and running a cardiology practice before settling in Skrat in 2000.

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54.5 percent of Bulgarian doctors in 2023 had at least 55 years, which is the largest share among the EU member states.

Bulgaria grapples with the European Union's lowest life expectancy, recorded at 75.8 years in 2024, compared to the EU average of 81.5 years. The country also faces high rates of preventable mortality, according to the OECD. The scarcity of doctors contributes to delayed diagnoses and inadequate management of chronic diseases. Gergana Nikolova, vice president of the Bulgarian National Association of General Practitioners, highlighted that primary healthcare is underdeveloped, underfunded, and undervalued. She noted that young doctors are deterred from family medicine, particularly in rural areas, by excessive bureaucracy, limited career advancement, and low salaries.

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primary healthcare is underdeveloped, underfunded, and undervalued.