Dr. Filip Alexiev, neurologist at UMBAL “St. Anna” in Sofia, has spoken out following the passing of beloved Bulgarian singer Yanka Rupkina, addressing widespread speculation on social media about the circumstances of her hospitalization and discharge.
According to Dr. Alexiev, who has over 20 years of experience in neurology and leads the Intensive Treatment Department for Neurological Diseases at the hospital, Rupkina was stable at the time of her release and was not in a coma.
“As a doctor, comment on the details of this case due to medical confidentiality,” Dr. Alexiev said. “But, I can state with certainty that she was not discharged while in a coma.”
He noted that misleading comments circulating online had created a false narrative, emphasizing that individuals without access to the full medical picture were offering interpretations that did not align with the facts.
Dr. Alexiev explained that after stabilization, the medical team’s priority was to avoid complications such as internal infections, a standard precaution in post-neurological care.
He also provided broader context, noting that stroke cases in Bulgaria number approximately 45,000 annually, underscoring the importance of accurate public understanding of neurological conditions and treatment outcomes.
A graduate of Charles University in Prague, Dr. Alexiev earned his neurology specialization in 2010 and has trained in Switzerland. Since 2022, he has headed the neurological intensive care unit at UMBAL “St. Anna” and serves as chair of the Bulgarian Stroke Society.
