Medical staffing and compensation challenges reported in Spain and Dominican Republic

Healthcare systems in Soria, Spain, and the Dominican Republic are facing significant professional challenges. In Soria, the Santa Bárbara Hospital is struggling with critical shortages across several specialties ahead of the winter season. Reports indicate that the pulmonology department is operating with only one active physician out of a staff of four. Additionally, the hospital faces vacancies or staffing issues in allergy, endocrinology, emergency medicine, and gynecology. In one instance, an allergist left the region for Madrid due to the inability to secure a contract longer than three months.

In the Dominican Republic, emergency medicine specialist Amado Báez has raised concerns regarding low compensation and poor working conditions for emergency physicians. Báez noted that while standard consultation rates are set at RD$750, some insurers negotiate lower rates with private centers, ranging from RD$400 to RD$500. When combined with tax deductions and social security contributions, these figures significantly reduce effective income, which Báez argues hinders the development of the specialty despite the high responsibility required to treat life-threatening conditions.