Brain drain in medical professionals

Albanian medical professionals are leaving the country in large numbers in search of opportunities abroad, prompting warnings from both the World Health Organisation, media and the Albanian Government that the situation threatens to seriously destabilise health care in the country. 

Albania has a considerable talent pool of health professionals who are leaving the country each year to pursue their career abroad. Many build up their professional reputation and expertise in Albania, only to leave in search of better pay, recognition and career opportunities. This is despite the fact that education is one of the sectors most affected by brain drain from Albania. The Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection has reported that a large number of health personnel have left the country for Germany in recent years. During the past 3 years the country is losing more medical staff that is producing through its education system. This trend raises concerns about the quality of health services in Albania and about future insufficient workforce planning.

Albanian medical professionals are going abroad due to poor conditions, lack of work and for higher salaries. For example, there is a big shortage of medical workers in the central Albania as well as in other cities throughout the country. The situation is particularly bad in the northern part of the country and especially in the rural areas. According to official data, about 80% of doctors who chose to work abroad are not working simply for money but for recognition and better working conditions. There is also a problem with specialists working in rural areas because their salaries are insufficient or for other reasons they leave and prefer to work in big cities and major hospitals.

Since Albanian medical professionals are leaving their country in large numbers and going to Germany, a region where Albanian physicians will enjoy better salaries, excellent working conditions and equal opportunities; European countries need to support Albania’s efforts to attract and train health professionals, particularly doctors and nurses. In Albania, there are thousands of doctors, nurses and paramedics who work in public health sector, as it stands many of these health professionals are demoralised and unhappy with their work, healthcare management and general direction things have been going for a long time. 

The health system in Albania is under severe fiscal pressure and the government has failed to conduct acute hospital modernisation. The number of physicians per capita stands at 1.12/ 1000 which is among the lowest figures in Europe, while health workers are more likely to emigrate than those in other countries (EU average: 5 people per healthcare professional). There is an urgent need for action by the Albanian government to improve public health in all aspects, such as: improving hygiene and sanitation standards; increasing numbers of doctors/per capita; ensuring that heath centres are adequately staffed; providing appropriate training for both public and private sector staff.

In 2021 a report from Together for Life stated that right now the country needs at least 330 GPs and 250 consultants (clik; here) In the same year a report from OSCE highlights "Albania has the lowest number of doctors in Europe with 12 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants." (klik: here)

The situation of public health in Albania is not one of the best in Europe and the last thing it needs is brain-drain in such large numbers. In terms of medicine, it is totally dependent on concentrated expertise in few big cities and professionals who by en large will not work in small towns and rural areas. Today 00-000 of Albanian doctors and nurses live abroad, Albania's youth prepare for these careers only with a view to go abroad because there are few opportunities for them at home either in public or private employment.