Foreigners fill vacancies in Czech hospitals
As Radio Prague reports, the shortage is felt primarily among pathologists, gynecologists, anesthesiologists, obstetricians and urologists. “This is a common problem for all medical institutions. However, the most serious shortage of doctors is felt in the border regions of the country. Our doctors go to work in other countries, which is much easier to do in the border area,” comments Alena Hajdušková, vice-president of the Patients' Union of the Czech Republic.
25% of currently practicing Czech doctors have already reached retirement age, and the influx of new forces from among Czech citizens is slowed down by the rules for obtaining medical education.
“This is a real problem,” notes Alena Hajdušková. “The level of financial compensation for doctors does not reach the desired parameter. Young specialists go on internships to get the necessary practical training and start a career. This is easier outside the Czech Republic. Young doctors see more prospects abroad. It would be fine if they later returned home. However, to do this we need to create more favorable working conditions.”
To implement the plan, funds are needed, but they are absent in the system. The Patients' Union sees the source of financing in increasing health insurance premiums for state-insured citizens – children, pensioners, the unemployed.
At the same time, Alena Hajdušková draws attention to the fact that there is no need to fear the arrival of foreign doctors in Czech medical institutions: “Foreign doctors working in the Czech Republic can be divided into three groups. The first are doctors from EU countries, for example, from Slovakia. Their education is the same as that of Czech doctors, since standard training rules apply in the EU. The second group of foreign doctors are those who studied in the Czech Republic. They have no problems, including with the language. The third group are immigrants from third countries. However, there is no reason for concern here either. Before obtaining permission to work in the Czech Republic, they must pass strict exams, both professional and language.”