Dr. Gergana Nikolova: It is almost impossible for a personal physician to issue a referral for a PCR test – Diseases

Getting a referral for a free PCR test has been a controversial case in recent days, after it became clear that for this purpose we must have at least 5 of the coronavirus symptoms: fever, cough, severe fatigue, loss of taste, and smell, shortness of breath, muscles. pain and oxygen saturation less than 92%.

“Patients go to the hospital with fewer symptoms. If we wait for the five symptoms, it will be too late to separate them at home, they will have spread the infection for a long time,” Dr. Gergana Nikolova, member of the Union’s Board of Directors, told BTV. Bulgarian physician.

Under what conditions will GPs issue referrals for PCR tests?

He clarified that this proposal has not been discussed with the BMA and makes the issuance of a referral for a PCR test by family physicians almost impossible.

“The National Health Insurance Fund is running a lottery: guess five symptoms of COVID-19 and win a referral for PCR from your doctor,” added Dr. Nikolova wryly.

He explained that the Internet is not needed for an electronic referral: the patient receives a code from the GP, who must say along with his name in the laboratory.

Dr. Kirov asked GPs to issue referrals for COVID testing for 2-3 symptoms instead of 5

The doctor asked people who had COVID-19, who also met other requirements, to donate plasma. It is necessary for those seriously ill with coronavirus. Today, the Transfusion Hematology Center in Sofia will be working overtime all day.