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Physician shortage poses challenges to health care
Recently there have been frequent discussions in the media about the lack of pediatricians, family physicians and clinical psychologists in different Estonian towns. This, inevitably, raises a question: what has caused such systemic shortage of physicians and what can be done to solve this situation?
According to the National Institute for Health Development, in 2018 there were approximately 4,600 practicing physicians in Estonia. There are 347 physicians per 100,000 persons, which is the average in the European Union. In addition, there are 1277 dentists, 8317 nurses, 456 midwives and 3609 other health care professionals in Estonia.
Physician shortage by regions and specialties
The shortage of physicians is very uneven across regions. "Geographically, the shortage is the highest in Ida-Virumaa, Southern Estonia and the islands. For example, Ida-Viru Central Hospital also employs many physicians from third countries. Some physicians who are registered as general practitioners actually work as medical specialists. Small hospitals do not have enough specialized physicians to cover necessary on-duty shifts, which is why in some places physicians are constantly on-call at home - for example, gynecologists in Põlva and Kuressaare," explained Katrin Rehemaa, Secretary General of the Estonian Medical Association.
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EHIF customer service opening hours are changing
The EHIF customer service opening hours and information line service hours are changing as of September 16:
- Lastekodu 48, 10144, Tallinn, 10144
- Tartu, Põllu 1a, 50303
- Jõhvi, Nooruse 5, 41597
Open:
Save-the-date: 4th PPRI Conference
The 4th International PPRI Conference titled “Medicines access challenge – The value of pricing and reimbursement policies” will be organised by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies on 23rd and 24th October 2019 in Vienna.
Free dental care for disability pensioners depends on certain criteria
Since 2019, the EHIF has expanded free dental care for people with severe physical and mental disabilities, who are unable to take care of their oral hygiene.
Read more Free dental care for disability pensioners depends on certain criteria