Medical staffing shortages in Botoșani County

Botoșani County is experiencing significant medical staffing shortages across various sectors of the healthcare system.

Initially, the region reported a chronic shortage of 32 family medicine physicians affecting both urban municipalities and rural communities. While medical practices receive substantial monthly reimbursements from the Health Insurance House, these funds must cover all operational costs, making the specialty unattractive to new graduates. To address this, the Botoșani County Ambulance Service initiated a recruitment competition for specialists.

This staffing crisis has extended to the Botoșani Public Health Directorate (DSP Botoșani), which has struggled to fill critical roles in epidemiological surveillance and health evaluation. Director Teodor Ferariu noted that despite starting salaries of approximately 12,600 lei, the lack of bonuses compared to hospital positions makes these public health roles less competitive, particularly when compared to the higher incomes earned by private family doctors.