BERLIN:Â German medical associations are raising alarms about potential staffing shortages, as nearly 6,000 Syrian doctors, the largest group of foreign medical professionals in Germany, may return to Syria. These doctors have played a vital role in maintaining healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, where medical staffing is often scarce.
Impact of Syrian Doctor Return on Rural Hospitals
According to the German Medical Association (BAEK), approximately 5,000 Syrian doctors work in hospitals across Germany. Their contribution is especially crucial in rural regions, where they help keep medical facilities running. Gerald Gass, head of the German Hospital Federation, expressed concerns that a mass exodus of Syrian doctors to Syria would have a significant impact on staffing, particularly in rural hospitals.
Understanding the Desire to Return but Warning of Consequences
While acknowledging the desire of doctors to return to their home country, Gass stressed the potential consequences for Germany’s healthcare system. A large-scale departure could strain an already fragile healthcare infrastructure. Michael Weber, president of the association of chief hospital physicians in Germany, also warned that the return of Syrian doctors could leave rural hospitals severely understaffed.
Asylum Procedures Frozen and Future Uncertainty
The ongoing discussions about the return of Syrian refugees, including doctors, come after Germany accepted over a million Syrian refugees in 2015. Recently, Germany has frozen asylum procedures for Syrians, adding another layer of uncertainty to the future of these medical professionals in the country.