Penza, 5 August 2013. PenzaNews. Educational fees of 60 students of the Medical Institute of Penza State University in 2013–2014 academic year will be paid out from the regional budget. This was announced by the Minister of Health of the Penza region Vladimir Stryuchkov.

According to him, the decision on the allocation of funds is based on the lack of budget places in medical school, which is unprecedented in the history of the region.

“Students will be trained to work in the primary health care block in the Penza region because of particular shortage of specialists there,” the Minister explained.

According to the press service of the regional Ministry of Health, the region has developed a complex system of measures aimed at attracting and supporting medical personnel.

“In 2013, enrollment in medical schools of Penza, Samara, Saratov and Moscow has been widened by 38%. The number of budget places increased by 48% – from 265 last year to 500 this year. 172 medical school graduates came to the region for post-graduate training with subsequent employment which is 2,5 times more than a year ago,” the office explained.