Hungary’s healthcare crisis: Government considers importing thousands of health workers!
The healthcare system is a crucial issue in any country, especially for those who move abroad and rely on local medical services. In Hungary, a growing shortage of healthcare professionals – particularly nurses – has become an increasingly pressing problem in recent years. According to recent reports, the Hungarian government is exploring several solutions, including the recruitment of foreign professionals.
As reported by 24.hu, in 2023 the Ministry of the Interior held discussions with two Hungarian companies regarding ways to attract foreign healthcare workers to the national system. The background to these negotiations is a serious challenge: Hungary currently faces a shortfall of nearly 40,000 nurses. The ministry has been pursuing multiple avenues to address the crisis, including talks with trade unions on wage increases, as well as exploring the potential of bringing in foreign staff.
Other issues in the Hungarian healthcare system
The ministry’s efforts have not been limited to foreign recruitment. Other aspects of the healthcare sector have also come under scrutiny, including legislative reform, support schemes, and the regulation of clinical trials. Discussions have involved a wide range of stakeholders, including medical chambers, pharmaceutical companies, insurers, and NGOs.
There have also been ongoing consultations regarding the pay of professional staff, with participation from trade unions such as the Hungarian Chamber of Health Professionals and the Independent Trade Union of Ambulance Workers. The aim has been consistent: to retain domestic healthcare workers and prevent their migration to other sectors or abroad. Wage pressure has become an increasingly urgent issue in the sector, and while concrete measures have yet to be implemented, the ministry has at least responded at the level of negotiations.
Who was at the negotiating table?
In February, the ministry entered into discussions with Diversitas Centre Ltd., and in May with Get Work Trend Ltd. Diversitas is primarily a research and consultancy firm and is not directly involved in recruitment, though it did participate in technical meetings. Get Work Trend, a recruitment agency, confirmed that discussions had taken place but were ultimately discontinued, as the ministry decided not to proceed further with the idea at that time.
According to Forbes, a senior ministry official stated at a professional conference that recruitment agencies from countries such as Vietnam, Pakistan, Cuba, and the Philippines had approached Hungary with offers to supply healthcare workers. Although interest appears to be increasing, no substantial progress has yet been made.
While no firm decisions have been reached, the matter remains under consideration. The ministry has signalled openness to future cooperation, but discussions have so far failed to yield concrete agreements. What is clear, however, is that the healthcare system cannot rely solely on domestic resources in the long term. The integration of foreign professionals may well return to the agenda in the near future.
If foreign healthcare workers do eventually arrive in Hungary, the implications could extend beyond the system itself. Their presence could positively influence the everyday lives of foreign residents, particularly those who do not speak Hungarian fluently. The arrival of professionals with a better understanding of linguistic and cultural barriers – possibly even from similar backgrounds – could significantly improve the healthcare experience for non-Hungarian speakers.
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