Thousands of primary care physicians do not have access to postgraduate scholarships

The Ministry of Health has signed agreements with 18 universities for the training of specialists. From 2013 to 2016, through the Human Talent Strengthening Project, it has invested USD 111 million, out of a total of 300 million available until 2020. Despite this effort, there is evidence of a demand that exceeds offer. This is confirmed by postgraduate directors and faculty deans.

The lack of quotas is a problem, says Leonardo Bravo, executive director of the Association of Schools of Medical Sciences and Health (Afeme). He states that “15 years ago about 500 doctors graduated per year and there were 200 quotas for postgraduates. Now more than 2 000 young people are trained and at most there are 500 specialization quotas.”

The dean of the Medicine School of the Central University, Ramiro Lopez, says that in the last contest of 2016, for 16 specialties there were 299 quotas and 6,100 general practitioners registered. Those who accredited the best qualifications, experience, publications and research were chosen.