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Over 80 people took part in a conference for Roma students enrolled in medical schools, which took place on August 2 at the District Administration in Veliko Tarnovo. The forum was titled "We are not impersonal, neither indifferent” and it was organized for second year by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe". Deputy governors Andrey Iliev and Stefan Stefanovwelcomed the guests and praised the future doctors for their dedication. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of South Africa Boyki Motlung , MD. Angel Kounchev- Chief State Health Inspector of the Ministry of Health, representatives of the municipalities of Veliko Tarnovo Region, the Head of the Regional Medical Association MD. Mariana Kirilova, health professionals and representatives from various organizations.

Without any hesitation medical students impressed the participants in the forum with professionalismand innovative ideas. In the first panel they presented their proposals on 4 key health system issues: career development of young professionals, expanding the scope of the health insured, the fate of municipal hospitals, health care in rural areas and school health care as well as preventive health care. The students presented not only facts about the current situation, but also specific suggestions for its improvement. For example, young doctors wanted medical insurance for pregnant women and mothers up to 1 year, citing the interest of the child, increasing the number of specializations, reducing the statutory period for health insurance status to 18 months, funding system that promotes preservation of municipal hospitals and disclosure practices of general practitioners in rural areas, expanding the number of mediators and the Centers for Community Development, etc.

During the second panel, the students presented their impressions of the field work in four settlements, realized the day before. On August 1^st, future doctors visited Gorna Oriahovitza, Byala Cherkva, Ledenik and Stambolovo where health discussions were held among the local Roma population and helped the moderators in the Centers for Community Development in carrying out surveys to assess local health services. Young doctors presented their observations and suggestions for solving the problems in health care in these communities. They were in addition of local Amalipe moderators.

Dr. Angel Kounchev determine the scholarship program as one of the most successful one and assured the audience that different options for its continuation and expansion will be explored. He urged the students not to forget their commitment to the Roma community and to continue engaging in activities of Amalipe and other Roma organizations to change community from within. I willdo all my best to change the system and for the approval of your suggestions, assured Dr. Kounchev. In turn Deyan Kolev congratulated the students that their proposals are aimed not only at Roma, but to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system as a whole, which will benefit a wide range of Bulgarian citizens.

The Ambassador of South Africa Boyki Motlung greeted the students. He called on the future medics to spread all the good practices they have acquired during their training. He encouraged them to fight discrimination and intolerance.

The conference was part of the advocacy training- one of the modules of the scholarship program for medical students and doctors of Roma origin. During the week-long training organized by the Amalipe Center students pass theoretical courses and practical exercises on Roma history and culture, formation of leadership skills and conflict resolution, working with media, etc. Students participate in solving different tasks. One of them was field work in different locations of Veliko Tarnovo, including - Participation in the implementation of community monitoring of health services. So they have the opportunity to see what the problems of the various Roma groups and those living in rural areas are, especially in healthcare.