Serbia to offer 20% pay rise for doctors in rural areas

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced plans to incentivize doctors to work in rural areas by proposing a 20% salary increase for those serving villages and remote regions. The initiative aims to tackle the persistent shortage of medical professionals in these underserved areas.

"This is the only way, otherwise it makes no sense, nobody will go. Because they say: 'You are mobbing me, forcing me out of the city center.' Well, people live in villages and suburban areas. So, we will give 15-20%, whatever we can, to those in the villages to encourage them to go and work there," Vučić stated during a visit to the village of Temska near Pirot.

The president acknowledged that despite the construction of housing for doctors and medical staff in rural locations, many physicians are still reluctant to relocate. He highlighted that mobile pharmacies are scheduled to commence operations between August 15 and August 20. These pharmacies will travel from village to village across Serbia, with plans for two or three such units to cover all parts of the country.

This measure is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare accessibility in rural Serbia, where limited access to medical services has been a long-standing issue. The salary increase and mobile pharmacy services are expected to provide much-needed support to residents in these areas.

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This is the only way, otherwise it makes no sense, nobody will go. Because they say: 'You are mobbing me, നിങ്ങൾ എന്നെ പുറത്താക്കുന്നു'. Well, people live in villages and suburban areas. So, we will give 15-20%, whatever we can, to those in the villages to encourage them to go and work there.