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No Docs, no vets: Moldova fights rural service gap

To address a critical shortage of veterinarians in rural Moldova, the government has launched a program offering young professionals a one-time payment of approximately $11,000 (200,000 lei) upon starting their careers in underserved areas.

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This initiative mirrors similar programs aimed at attracting doctors and teachers to rural communities.

The growing deficit of veterinarians poses a significant challenge for livestock farmers across Moldova, particularly in the north, where only 122 veterinarians serve the entire region. The village of Fundurii Vechi, for instance, lacks any veterinary services, forcing residents to rely on their own limited knowledge or go without for their animals.

Students at the country's only Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Economics College in Bratuseni express their commitment to serving rural communities despite the challenging conditions. Their desire to help animals and pursue entrepreneurial ventures in animal husbandry motivates them to persevere. However, they emphasise the need for fair compensation, echoing the concerns of residents in Fundurii Vechi who attribute the decline in animal breeding to the lack of readily available veterinary care.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, authorities have implemented salary increases for veterinarians in recent years. Effective January 1, 2024, inspectors' salaries range from 13,500 to 14,000 lei per month, depending on experience and seniority. Additionally, the government is exploring further solutions to incentivize veterinarians to choose careers in rural settings.

While 547 veterinarians are registered in Moldova, roughly 120 serve in the north, highlighting the concentrated need for more professionals in these underserved regions. The government's initiative, coupled with ongoing salary adjustments, aims to reverse this trend and ensure comprehensive veterinary care for livestock farmers across the country.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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