Chapter 1: Military Medical Academy in Emergency Response in Bulgaria.

Medical support in disaster situations for the population in Bulgaria by the Bulgarian army and the Bulgarian military medical service is postulated by: - Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria; The law for defense and armed forces; - Military doctrine; - National law for crisis response operations; - Plan of Military Medical Academy for crisis response and other institutional regulations. Under the conditions of reforming Civil Healthcare System, Military Healthcare System, especially Military Medical Academy resolves not only military medical tasks but problems in the country and abroad. The aim of this study is to discuss the capability of Military Medical Academy to provide civilian population with adequate support in disaster situations. Military Medical Academy has specific military units for emergency response: - Military medical detachment for emergency response; - Mobile medical diagnostic complex; - Mobile field hospital that corresponds to NATO role 3; - Center for military epidemiology and hygiene; - Research center for radiological, biological and chemical protection; - Center for treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases. Military Medical Academy is a multi-profile medical facility structured to provide Bulgarian Armed Forces with up-to date medical care for the soldiers, and to act as a part of the national healthcare system. Its main goals are: - Accomplishment of the health reform in medical support in accordance with military doctrine; and - Achievement of the required capability to provide medical support to the forces according to NATO standards. Military Medical Academy and its temporary and permanent facilities are able to provide an adequate medical support in crisis situations in peacetime and wartime, in our country and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]