Despite a 10% increase in medical university admissions, driven by 3,000 new places, Russia faces persistent challenges in its targeted recruitment system for doctors. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko highlighted strong enrollment in targeted programs, but a significant number of positions remain unfilled.

Last year, only 89% of the targeted training quota was met, and some universities saw 20% of these places left vacant.

The issue persists despite high competition for medical school placements.

Targeted training requires graduates to work in specific medical institutions, often in rural or underserved areas, in exchange for subsidized education.

Many graduates are unwilling to commit to these positions, preferring opportunities in urban or private clinics.

Education and Science Minister Valery Falkov acknowledged that low salaries are a deterrent for targeted graduates.

Neurologist Semyon Galperin, president of the “League for the Protection of Doctors,” emphasizes that high workloads are often coupled with salaries that do not adequately compensate doctors.

Readers are sharing stories of challenges in public medicine, including cases of oncology patients feeling financially exploited, indifference from medical professionals, and frequent turnover of local therapists.

Doctors themselves and their families report difficulties such as low pay.

One parent shared how their certified doctor son earns less than a courier with minimal education.

High workload, low salary and bureaucratic red tape are significant reasons for staff turnover.