Patients in power | 6ο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Ασθενών

Founder & Chairman, Bulgarian National Patients’ Organization, Board Member of European Patients Forum (EPF)

Stanimir Hasurdjiev

Dr. Stanimir Hasurdjiev is one of the founders and current Chairperson of the Bulgarian National Patients’ Organization (NPO) – the biggest patients’ umbrella organization in Bulgaria which accounts to around 80 disease-specific member organizations representing patients with different socially significant diseases in all 28 regions in Bulgaria.

Dr. Hasurdjiev has devoted himself to the work in the patients’ advocacy sector and in defense of patients’ rights. In 2011 and 2015-2016, he represented the Bulgarian patients in the Supervisory Board of the National Health Insurance Fund.

As of May 2013, Dr. Hasurdjiev has been a board member of the European Patients’ Forum as well as a member of several regional and international organizations and networks, e.g. World Hepatitis Alliance, European Community Advisory Board, International Capacity Building Alliance and others.

In addition, he is one of the initiators and founders of the joint initiative of the European Patients’ Forum and the Bulgarian National Patients’ Organization – the Patient Access Partnership (PACT) – a multi stakeholder platform for finding innovative solutions to reduce inequities in access to healthcare in Europe, where Stanimir takes the position of a Secretary-General.

Dr. Hasurdjiev serves as a Secretary of the initiative "Health Partnership" which was officially launched in March 2015 as a permanent consultative body to the Council of Ministers. The platform incorporates representatives of the patient organizations, governmental institutions, unions of medical practitioners, hospitals, industry and providers of health care services, appliances and facilities.

Stanimir is also leading a Think Tank group on patient access focusing on the CEE region which brings together patient representatives, health professionals and pharmacoeconomists who work together to identify regional challenges in healthcare and propose sustainable solutions to national governments.

Stanimir Hasurdjiev has many Bulgarian and international awards, such as the Best Media Award for the World Hepatitis Day campaign in 2008 “Am I number 12”.