Czech medics oppose simplifying the procedure for employing doctors from Ukraine
According to Radio Prague, the Czech side is ready to simplify the employment process for Ukrainian doctors as much as possible – the ministries of health and industry are using an amendment that allows specialists to start work immediately, without passing an exam to confirm the right to work in the profession. Czech medics are very skeptical about this idea.
"According to the usual procedure, every healthcare worker arriving from a non-EU country who wants to work here must pass a specialty exam in Czech. They must also undergo a mandatory internship," recalls Zdeněk Mrozek, Vice-President of the Czech Medical Chamber. Exceptions are allowed only in individual cases, if it concerns a unique specialist. "Such a specialist, of course, does not have to go through this procedure," Mrozek clarifies.
However, now the Ministry of Health intends to use this amendment to fill Czech hospitals and medical offices with ordinary Ukrainian medics. "The ministry is calling on potential employers to participate in the project for employing highly qualified specialists. But it is blatantly pushing them to fill as many vacant positions in hospitals as possible with Ukrainian employees," Mrozek fumes. He warns that the lack of verification of a doctor's level could negatively affect patient treatment and health.
Other Czech medical communities view this innovation from roughly the same perspective. Representatives of the dental association are calling on Health Minister Adam Vojtěch to stop this program. "We have no objections to the project as such. However, the danger associated with the influx of unverified specialists is more important than the need to ease the filling of vacant positions," emphasizes Roman Šmucler, President of the Czech Dental Chamber.
The Ministry of Health does not consider the criticism justified, pointing out that these are exceptional measures designed to improve the current difficult situation and ease the work of Czech doctors and other medical staff. "Moreover, Ukrainian medics will work under the direct professional supervision of a specialist who has all the permits required by law and appropriate education," explains Minister Adam Vojtěch.
After employment under the simplified scheme, Ukrainian medics will receive a one-year work permit, during which they will have to prepare for the professional exam in Czech.