According to a new regulation, doctors wishing to specialize will be obligated to work for the government for ten years, or else repay US $61,706.
HAVANA TIMES – The Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (Minsa) has issued a new regulation imposing a draconian condition on the primary care doctors who wish to study a specialty: work ten years for the government or pay them back US $61,706 dollars.
The new clause was incorporated into the contract signed by 213 general doctors who classified for the program “Medical-Surgical Residency 2024-2028,” promoted by Minsa and offered through the Nicaraguan National Autonomous University (UNAN).
This is the first time the Ministry has included this clause in the contract for those wishing to study a specialty, according to several doctors from the country’s private and public hospitals who spoke with Confidencial.
The health workers stressed that the measure is an attempt on the part of Minsa to “keep the doctors in the country,” in the face of “a massive brain drain.” The latter problem is the result of the socio-political crisis that Nicaragua has been going through. The measure will also force the new specialists to “be at [Minsa]’s disposal.”
The document entering residents must sign establishes that the doctors will have to pay a sum of cordobas, equivalent to approximately US $61,706 dollars at the current exchange rate, in the case of four eventualities:
- Abandoning their studies without due cause.
- Failing to fulfill the terms of the contract or the disciplinary norms for residents.
- Sudden resignation from the health establishment where they’re realizing their studies.
- Refusing, abandoning, or resigning from their work at the health establishment where they were placed.
Minsa will determine the doctors’ futures
Once the residency is completed, doctors will not have a voice in deciding w
