Can doctors from Latin America fix Germany's health worker shortage?

DW (English)

Germany faces a critical shortage of health care workers. A program is bringing specialized doctors from Mexico, Colombia, and Bolivia to German hospitals, creating opportunities across continents.

Transcript

00:00Germany needs doctors. Latin America has them.

00:03Dr. Freddy Bautista Vanegas crossed continents to help fill the gap in German healthcare.

00:08The Bolivian specialists joined a program tackling the severe shortage of medical professionals.

00:13Since 2017, Germany's Federal Employment Agency has been bringing skilled doctors to Germany's hospitals,

00:19and it supports them every step of the way, from finding housing to navigating complex bureaucracy.

00:24In Mexico alone, 40,000 medical students graduate each year, but fewer than 18,000 training positions are available.

00:31For many, the program offers a new opportunity. Between 2023 and 2024, 50,000 critical healthcare jobs remained unfilled in Germany.

00:40But the journey isn't easy. Doctors must learn German to B2 level, secure visas, and pass multiple exams before practicing independently.

00:49Dr. Freddy is almost there. After two more exams, he'll become a certified doctor in Germany.

01:06Dr. Freddy Bautista Vanegas

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