German medical associations are warning about the potential impact on medical care in Germany if Syrian doctors were to return to their home country. Currently, there are around 6,000 Syrian doctors practicing in Germany, making them the largest group of foreign doctors in the country, according to the German Medical Association (BAEK).
The head of the German Hospital Federation, Gerald Gass, expressed concerns that a mass exodus of Syrian doctors back to Syria could lead to staffing shortages, especially in rural hospitals. He acknowledged the urgent need for medical professionals in Syria but highlighted the potential strain it would place on healthcare facilities in Germany.
Recent data from 2023 revealed that the majority of Syrian doctors in Germany, approximately 5,000, work in hospitals. Michael Weber, president of the association of chief hospital physicians in Germany, emphasized the vital role that Syrian doctors play in sustaining healthcare services in rural areas and cautioned that their departure could create challenges for medical institutions.
Germany's acceptance of over a million Syrian refugees in 2015 has prompted discussions on the possible return of Syrians to their homeland. As a result, Germany has temporarily halted asylum procedures for Syrians, as confirmed by the country's interior minister.
