Brain Drain in Tunisian Hospitals: Low Salaries Drive Young Doctors to Emigrate
Bahaa Eddine Rabai, Vice President of the Tunisian Young Doctors' Organization, has stated that the emigration of doctors has led to a shortage of medical staff in Tunisian hospitals. He attributed the main reason to the derisory salaries received by young doctors.
Rabai pointed out that the hourly rate for on-call hours for young doctors is estimated at 1,100 dinars, and half of the public hospitals do not pay for these hours.
He explained that the volume of worked hours can reach up to 100 hours per week, while the law imposes a maximum of 48 hours. He recalled that working conditions are also difficult, and doctors may be victims of violence within hospitals.
Rabai announced that 90% of young doctors express their intention to emigrate. It is essential to recall that nearly 4,000 doctors left the country between 2020 and 2023, and over 1,300 others departed in 2024.
