Създаване на болница и развитие на здравните грижи във Велико Търново
Establishing a hospital and the development of healthcare in Veliko Turnovo

Summary/Abstract: The long course of the historical events accompanying the opening of VelikoTurnovo Hospital is outlined. The contribution of patriotic Bulgarians who helped enormously to fundraising and the establishment is outlined. Specifically, the contribution of Mikhail Kefalov is presented- a rich merchant, a publisher, a translator and a great patriot, who at the time lived in Bucharest. He set out rules of the future hospital comprising 12 articles, which were published in „The Tsarigradski Vestnik“ newspaper, an activity which further highlighted the seriousness of this deed of donation. Thanks to the nationwide petition for fundraising organized by M. Kefalov, the first Bulgarian hospital was set up on 2nd Jan,1867 and was maintained by voluntary donations. After 10 months this hospital was closed but it started working again in 1877 and on 1st June, 1879 the First-class hospital with 60 hospital beds was established in its place with a government decision. One of its founders was Dr. Hadzhi Penchev who was also the first Turnovo District doctor and the organizer of the District Medical Service Centre encompassing the towns and villages of the Turnovo District (also including Osman Pazar, present-day Omurtag). Dr. Hadzhi Penchev was extremely determined to the public health ideas and to the fight against the contagious diseases in the town (cholera, typhus, dysentery and others). The charity activities of the Red Cross-Turnovo Branch during the wars (1912–1917) as well as its activities regarding the preparation of auxiliary medical staff is studied. In the process of the development of the hospital along with the names of the doctors were the names of the first samaritans, nurses, midwives and feldshers who played a pivotal role for the enhancement of healthcare service both at times of war and peace. The course of setting up medical schools in Veliko Turnovo, where medical pеrsonnel was trained, is also presented.

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