Russian Medical Recruitment Programs Fail in Occupied Luhansk Region

Regarding the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, the Russian programs ‘Zemsky Doctor’ and ‘Zemsky Paramedic’ promised substantial payments but failed to attract the required number of medical professionals. According to Oleksiy Kharchenko, head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, these initiatives from the Russian Federation yielded only a little over 20 specialists from Russia.

“The crazy rubles didn’t help – the Russian state programs ‘Zemsky Doctor’ and ‘Zemsky Paramedic’ in the territory of the so-called ‘LPR’ did not live up to expectations. Neither experienced medical professionals nor young specialists are willing to drop everything and, for at least five years, move to towns and villages in Luhansk region with infrastructure shattered by Russian troops and hospitals looted by the occupiers,” said Oleksiy Kharchenko.

According to Kharchenko, Russia increased the payments to 2 million rubles, but over three years only 27 specialists arrived at medical facilities in the occupied Luhansk region in response to invitations, including 21 doctors.

In sum, experts note that the region’s staffing remains weak and requires systemic steps so that medical professionals are ready to work under occupation and with ruined infrastructure.

Prospects for the development of the medical sphere in Luhansk

Experts recommend focusing on long-term solutions: improving working conditions, modernizing hospitals, increasing social guarantees, and supporting local personnel to reduce dependence on external programs and ensure the stability of the healthcare system in the region.