VLEN: Pledge to Integrate 600 Residents into Public Healthcare Nears Fulfillment

The pledge to engage 600 privately funded medical residents in the public healthcare sector is taking shape, VLEN MP Kaltrina Beqiri said after the government decided to employ the second group of 300 young doctors.

At a press conference, Beqiri announced that the 300 residents in the first group had already been integrated into the public healthcare system. According to her, the procedure for bringing in the remaining 300 is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Beqiri described the decision as a significant development for the 300 young doctors, who began their residencies at their own expense and will now be engaged in public healthcare.

She emphasized that hospitals that have faced a shortage of specialists for years will also benefit from this process. Priority will be given to general and clinical hospitals outside Skopje, as well as medical disciplines with the greatest staffing needs.

According to the VLEN MP, integrating young doctors is particularly important for residents of Tetovo, Gostivar, Kičevo, Struga and other municipalities, who often have to travel to Skopje to receive specialist care.

Beqiri underscored that, in addition to improving healthcare infrastructure, strengthening human resources remains a priority. In this context, she mentioned the €74 million investment in Tetovo Clinical Hospital and the steps taken to pave the way for the construction of a new hospital in Kičevo.

The MP said that buildings and equipment alone are not enough for hospitals, as they also need doctors, adding that VLEN is fulfilling its pledge to employ 600 medical residents.