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Rosstat estimates shortage of doctors in Russian regions

Kamchatka is struggling with the biggest shortage of doctors among Russia’s regions, the federal state statistics service, Rosstat, reported after analyzing the number of open vacancies in each region in 2019.

Overall, at the end of 2018, Russia had 50,000 openings for doctors and another 50,000 for nurses and paramedics. The biggest shortage of medics was recorded in Kamchatka, with 20% of all positions for doctors and nurses vacant. The Healthcare Ministry acknowledges the problem and is trying to provide additional social support for doctors in the region.

Rather unexpectedly, the Central Russian Smolensk Region is in second place. At the end of 2018, there were 2.7K positions available to doctors and nurses, almost 18%. Local officials say it is one of the most acute problems in the region. Experts add that doctors are leaving the region and moving to the Moscow Region or Moscow in pursuit of higher salaries.

The third place in the anti-ranking went to the Pskov Region – 2.3K job openings at the end of 2018. However, in December 2019, the number of available medical jobs decreased to 1K.

Overall in Russia, 10% of jobs for doctors and 4% of nurses and paramedics remain vacant.

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