Penza, 15 December 2015. PenzaNews. One third of the total number of doctors in the Penza region will be under 36 in 2018, announced Natalya Tyugaeva, head of the Medical Care and Health Resort Affairs Management Department of the regional Health Ministry, announced during the roundtable discussion in the regional Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, December 15.

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“These are the people able to work the most, that are in the biggest demand in the area, who are ready to implement the tasks. Currently, they represent 25% of our staff,” she said.

According to Natalya Tyugaeva, there were 4,164 doctors working in the Penza region as of 1 December 2015, with numbers of people seeking to study for the profession significantly increasing over the past two years.

“An important feature of 2015 for us is the fact this was the first time we recruited a crew to gradually replace people past the working age who experience difficulties managing their work,” explained the head of the Health Ministry department.

The target figures for medical universities and colleges were increased as well, she added.

“There is no doubt the fact our children study in Penza is a good thing. We have been getting about 60 students in the Penza medical institute for the third year in a row. The children that we sent to study for higher education are constantly undergoing internships, practice sessions, all on locations that will be employing them afterwards,” Natalya Tyugaeva said.

Since 2013, the Healthcare Ministry signs agreements for targeted medical residency for locations that require more doctors.

“The numbers [of young professionals employed] more than doubled compared to 2011,” Natalya Tyugaeva explained.

Overall, the Penza region is a relatively attractive region for work and life, and therefore 30% of the doctors employed in the regional hospitals are general practitioners.

At the same time, the “targeters” that lax on their obligations face litigation, Natalya Tyugaeva added.

In spite of these measures, the deficit in doctors still persists, she pointed out.

“Currently, we need 820 more doctors to complete the norm set for us by the state guarantee. This deficit was much larger in early 2014. […] Currently, the demand is the highest for physicians (173 people), pediatricians (79 people), ER medics (73) people. Moreover, we need as many as 50 psychiatrists, narcologists and otolaryngologists each. 118 people are soon to complete targeted education for these specialties – this will partially resolve the issue. But we all perfectly realize these 820 people won’t just appear out of thin air this instant,” she pointed out.