# Pediatrician shortage in Hungary > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pediatrician-shortage-in-hungary > Updated: 2026-09-09T04:56:57.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Hungary is experiencing a significant shortage of pediatric specialists, affecting both regional hospitals and major urban centers. In Ózd, the Almási Balogh Pál Hospital reported a critical lack of specialists in its pediatric department. Hospital director Dr. János Bélteczki described the shortage in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County as “catastrophic.” Due to these staffing issues, the hospital implemented service changes where children requiring specialized care after 3:00 PM on weekdays, or any time on weekends and holidays, must be transported by the National Ambulance Service to hospitals in Miskolc. On a national scale, data indicates a long-term decline in the number of general pediatricians. In 2005, there were 1,571 pediatricians in the country, a figure that fell to 1,205 by 2025. This reduction has increased the average workload per physician from 939 children to 1,134 children. The crisis is also evident in Budapest, where the number of pediatricians decreased by over 26 percent between 2000 and 2025. In the Zugló district, the potential closure of five practices threatens the care of approximately 2,500 children. To address these vacancies, the National Health Insurance Fund Management plans to offer relocation subsidies in 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Hungary faces critical shortage of pediatricians Hungary is experiencing a growing shortage of pediatricians, with numbers dropping from 1,571 in 2005 to 1,205 in 2025, increasing the patient load per doctor and threatening care in areas like Budapest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-faces-critical-shortage-of-pediatricians ### 2026-08-13: Ózd hospital faces pediatric specialist shortage The Almási Balogh Pál Hospital in Ózd faces a pediatric specialist shortage, forcing children to be transferred to Miskolc for after-hours care following a period of limited local service. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zd-hospital-faces-pediatric-specialist-shortage --- Cite as: Pediatrician shortage in Hungary. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pediatrician-shortage-in-hungary