Penza, 27 July 2012. PenzaNews. Minister of Health and Social Development of the Penza region Vladimir Stryuchkov explained the lack of medical personnel in hospitals in the region with low salary indices.

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“The average salary of medical personnel in Russia is 32 thousand rubles. In Penza region this index is much lower — 23 thousand rubles. That is why the specialists retreat to private health centers, where the salary level is higher, or simply leave the medical sector. Even though today the number of applicants to internship in Penza is three times higher than last year, the rise in the number of vacancies in state hospitals continues,” noted Vladimir Stryuchkov during a press conference on Friday, July 27.

According to the minister, currently 608 doctor vacancies and 300 average nurse vacancies remain open in the Penza region — vacancies are available not only in regional centers, but in the cities, including Penza.

“We have serious manpower shortage. Primary care is well staffed, but the situation with specialists is more complicated. We currently experience lack of pediatricians, neonatologists, working with newborns, children’s resuscitators, school and preschool doctors, laboratory technicians,” underlined the head of the Health Ministry of the region.