The number of doctors leaving Bucharest to work abroad increased to 630 this year, compared to just 443 for the entire 2009, according to the Bucharest Doctors' College. Young doctors used to ask for permits to work abroad in the previous years, but the trend has changed and more doctors over 30 are applying to work abroad.

2001 certificates for doctors to work abroad have been issued since 2007. Of the 630 certificates issued this year, 369 were issued to doctors under 35. Most of the doctors who chose to work abroad during this three-year interval were specialized in general medicine and in family medicine. General surgery, anesthesia for intensive care, gynecology and orthopedics are also among the specializations of Romanian doctors who went to work abroad.

The state of the Romanian health care system has been under the spotlight lately, after several tragic cases, such as the maternity blast in Bucharest, which killed five babies last week. Read more about the Romanian healthcare system and the international media comments on its state here.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Israeli Doctors in Romania to Help Burnt Newborns (abcnews.go.com)
• Sick man of Europe (bbc.co.uk)