MEDICAL CARE FOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN IMPROVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000600400535-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 25, 2011
• Sequence Number: 535
• Publication Date: August 1, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600400535-3
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL"r,uL TI4L
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT
COUNTfY Bulgaria
SUBJECT Sociological - Medical
HOW
PUBLISHED Daily newspaper
WHERE
PUBLISHED' Sofia
DATE
PUBLISHED 31 May 1951
LANGUAGE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF ESPIONAGE ACT [0
U. S. C.. SI AND S[. AS AM[NDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION
OF ITS CONTENT! IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAU THO RIZEO PERSON IS PRO?
HIRIT[D by LAW, ASPROD UCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
DATE OF
INFORMATION 1951
DATE DIST. /(hAA 1951
NO. OF PAGES 2
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
MEDICAL CARE FOR MOTHERS! CHILDREN IMPROVES
After 9 September 1944, medical care for mothers and children in Bulgaria
improved greatly.. Article 72 of the Dimitrov Constitution states that the
government takes special care of mothers and children, establishes maternity
homes, children's homes, and children's dispensaries; assures a leave of
absence for women during pregnancy and after childbirth, and guarantees free
midwife and medical service..
Before 9 September 1944 Bulgaria had the second highest child mortality
rate in Europe, Over 20;000 children died yearly during their first year of
life. This can be attributed to the po'r social conditions, shortage of
medical service, aad negligence of the Fascist administration, There was a
shortage of curative and prophylactic institutions for children.
In the 6 years since 9 September 1944, children's clinics have been
added to the hospitals of 15 okrug centers and to the hospitals of many
okoliya cities. A special children's hospital has been opened in Sofia,
while a second clinic.for children has been established at the university in
Plovdiv,. Since 1944, the number df beds for sick children has increased
ten times. Children's wards have been added to polyclinics of most Bulgarian
cities. All Bulgarian cities now have polyclinics. Many maternity homes have
been established in cities and villages, and pregnant women are assured free
midwife service. Over 55 percent of births in Bulgaria occur in maternity
homes and with the assistance of midwives. As soon as they are born, babies
are vaccinated against tuberculosis. The number of births in maternity homes
is expected to increase to 70 percent by the end of 195. 0
Copying the USSR, many lay nurseries and nurseries for.Iorphans have been
established in Bulgaria. The present number of such nurseries and nursery beds
has increased 25 times over 9 September 1944, An additional increase of 30
percent is expected by the end of 1951,
The number of beds in children's sanatoriums has increased. :Children are
beitg vaccinated against tuberculosis with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine
on a large scale. This vaccine is produced by Bulgarian factories. In 1950)
immunization against dysentery by means of bacteriophage was introduced for
the first time in Bulgaria.
- 1 - 'CDNFIDENTIAL
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CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600400535-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600400535-3
CONFIDEN
The decree on protecting the health of children and pregnant women
guarantees 3 months' leave with pay prior to c?diit to pregnant working
women and 2 hours leave per working day for 3 months after childbitth to
new'mat'herso The decree prohibits excessive work for pregnant and nursing
women and increases their rations 50 percents
CONFIDENTIAL
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000600400535-3