A significant proportion of the medical staff at the Health Center Budva will soon be comprised of doctors from Russia, marking another milestone for the Metropolis of Montenegrin tourism.

The Budva Health Center, managed by Blažo Radoman over the past two years, has recently launched a new recruitment campaign, successfully hiring 17 doctors, double the number from 2022. This move aligns with the required ratio of doctors to the population. Specifically, five of the new hires, two of whom are on track to receive work engagements soon, are Russian nationals, as reported by News.

Over the past decade, Budva has experienced significant demographic expansion, resulting in a pressing need for medical professionals.

Radoman commented that they have successfully met the staffing requirements to deliver quality healthcare services.

“Budva had a reported population of 26,667 in the 2023 census, marking a 39 percent increase since 2011. The latest household count stands at 10,842, up 50 percent in 14 years, with the number of apartments reaching 34,255, a 46 percent increase. Currently, around 23,000 temporary stay permits have been issued alongside 45,000 insured individuals, reflecting those registered with the Health Insurance Fund. This does not include the summer tourist population or residents who work in Budva but haven’t changed their legal residence. Thus, it is reasonable to estimate that Budva is home to approximately 55,000 to 60,000 people,” Radoman shared.

In light of these statistics, the health center is required to ensure adequate medical staffing:

“There are established regulations specifying that a minimum of 1,200 insured individuals is necessary per doctor, with a maximum of 2,000. According to the most recent census, regulations mandate that 17 general practitioners be assigned for adult care,” he stated.

Radoman highlighted that Budva faces unique challenges regarding its medical personnel, noting an influx of foreign citizens, including many doctors, especially following the recent crises in Ukraine and Russia.

“Foreign nationals can commence employment with just three specific documents,” Radoman explained.

“Following that, they receive an acceptance decision, which is processed through the MUP branch, specifically for doctors, expediently. I want to commend the MUP’s Budva branch for their cooperation and swift issuance of temporary residence permits, typically valid for a year. We currently have three doctors from Russia, all of whom have been excellent performers and received a warm welcome from patients. One doctor was hired at the Petrovac Health Station towards the end of last year, where patient satisfaction levels were incredibly high. We also have three more doctors currently navigating the hiring process, two from Russia and one from Serbia.”

Radoman also noted that two additional doctors from Montenegro and Serbia are interested in joining the Health Center and expressed optimism about creating suitable conditions for their employment.

“Planning ahead is essential. The new healthcare law aims to enhance primary healthcare, thereby easing the burden on secondary levels. This includes increasing the number of specialists in health centers, which will be supported by improved medical equipment. Addressing housing concerns for doctors is crucial for their long-term retention in Budva.”

Interest from Cuban Doctors

Radoman mentioned a couple from Cuba expressing interest in opportunities but noted that language barriers posed a challenge.

First Floor Renovation Announcement

Radoman announced that preparations for the renovation of the first floor of the Health Center are set to commence soon, with a budget of 1.2 million euros. The renovation is expected to take 365 days, and will include new specialist clinics as well as a Mental Health Center, designed to meet EU standards.

(Telegraf.rs)