Romanian doctors tempted abroad by a better life

February 21, 2014

(BBC) – “There are several reasons one might stay in Romania,” says medical student Andreea Rosca sweetly, over a ginger beer in a Bucharest bar. “You love your country, you have family, friends. Maybe you dream about changing the system. I personally do not believe it will happen.” In the past seven years, 10,000 doctors and nurses have left Romania, according to estimates from a doctors’ organisation. Most of those who leave are young, at the start of their careers. They cannot live on the 250 euros (£205; $340) monthly starting salary, they say, and unlike older doctors are insufficiently experienced to set up a private practice, parallel to their work in state hospitals.