Slovakia is facing a shortage of around 15,000 nurses, but many qualified nurses who arrived from Ukraine have still not been integrated into the country's healthcare system, according to the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives.
The Chamber says the main obstacle is that Ukrainian nursing qualifications do not fully meet European Union requirements, particularly regarding practical training. Unlike the Czech Republic, which has operated a long-term programme combining language training, adaptation to the healthcare system and qualification recognition, Slovakia has not introduced a similar scheme.
Representatives of healthcare professionals argue that there has been little political willingness to create pathways for Ukrainian nurses to enter the workforce, despite the growing shortage of medical staff.
The Health Ministry says it is currently examining different models for recognising foreign qualifications and assessing their compliance with EU legislation. It says that if a legally viable solution is identified that could strengthen Slovakia's healthcare system, it will be prepared to implement it. The issue is becoming increasingly urgent, as thousands of Slovak nurses are expected to retire in the coming years.
Source: STVR
