Germany is grappling with a looming shortage of 50,000 doctors, with many highly qualified Ukrainian and Syrian refugees unable to practice medicine due to challenging recognition procedures and bureaucratic hurdles. Oleksii Ukrainskyi, an anesthesiologist from Odesa, highlighted the difficulties faced by refugees trying to have their qualifications recognized in Germany, with only a fraction successfully obtaining medical licenses.
The complex process involves translating documents, passing language exams, and proving equivalence to German standards, with each of Germany’s 16 federal states having different requirements. The Marburger Bund has criticized the slow and convoluted system, calling for more streamlined processes and fewer barriers for foreign doctors to work in the country.
Nibras Soubh, a Syrian cardiologist, also echoed the need for a unified process, especially as Syrian doctors face anti-immigration sentiment in the wake of recent incidents. Despite demands for tougher migration policies, the necessity of foreign doctors in filling the healthcare workforce gaps cannot be understated.
As demographic shifts and part-time work impact the healthcare sector, ensuring a smoother path for internationally-educated doctors is essential for maintaining quality healthcare in Germany.