Health minister Katya Ivkova has asked UNICEF for support and international expertise in building the National Children's Hospital, the ministry said. It was one of the main topics at her meeting with the fund's new representative in Bulgaria, Mio Nemoto.

Deputy minister Dr Nikolay Valov and experts from both institutions also took part in the talks.

Ivkova said the hospital is not just a building project. She called it a chance to create a new model of children's health care, built around the needs of children and their families. In early September, she said she wants the hospital built before the government's term ends, with everything it needs around it and with staff in place.

Ivkova also raised the question of putting a price on visits in home nursing care. She said this is a key step towards stable funding for the service. UNICEF is ready to help with technical expertise and international experience.

The minister also presented a vision for a centre of excellence in child psychiatry. The ministry will discuss with the Expert Council on Child Psychiatry how it could work with UNICEF on the plan.

The meeting also covered preventing violence against children, a safe digital environment and joint projects under the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme.