The MPs accepted the proposal presented at the parliamentary session on Friday. The new law imposes obligations on both students and Albanian Ministry of Health.
After graduating from university, a student must sign an employment contract for a minimum period of three years. Then the Ministry of Health has three months to indicate to the doctor the facility where he will work.
In case of refusal to work on the premises Albania the person will be forced refund the full cost of tuition.
Albania. Students take the law to the European court
It is worth noting that the parliament had previously adopted similar regulations that obliged young medics to work in Albania. for the first five years.
Students protested against the bill, and the case was examined by the Constitutional Tribunal. He found the law partially unconstitutional and recommended reducing the work obligation from five to three years.
The Albanian legislation was appealed to the European Court of Human Rights in June. The court has not yet issued a ruling.
Albania. Exodus of doctors. They emigrate to Germany
Rigels Xhemollari, an education expert who heads the non-governmental organization Civic Resistance, criticized the assumptions of the act. He pointed out that the state should motivate its citizens, not “imprison” them.
– The only lasting solution should be a commitment from the government and parliament to increase support for doctors in the country, improving the conditions and financing of the healthcare systemto ensure that the doctor is not trapped in his workplace, but motivated and serving citizens, Xhemollari stressed.
Albania is facing a real exodus of young doctors. Some of them leave the country after graduating, emigrating to e.g. German. In the years 2012-2022, this small country (it has about 3 million inhabitants – ed.) three thousand doctors left.
Source: Balkan Insight