German health system needs Syrian doctors: Let’s understand

Nearly 236,000 Syrian nationals are currently paying tax in Germany. That number increases if you add those holding German citizenship – as these people are not counted in the labour statistics as Syrian. Of these, nearly 2/3 are employed in essential jobs.

The German economy could not function properly if scores of Syrians in the country go back to their homeland. But it appears many Syrians are mulling about returning home once the situation there is stable and peace persists.

Many German politicians earlier rejected calls for any immediate repatriations. But since tens of thousands of Syrians are seeking to go back and rebuild their country, another reality has struck Germany – a country hosting nearly a million Syrian citizens.

Experts fear significant burden on German healthcare

The German Association of Senior Hospital Doctors is also concerned. In rural areas of the country, Syrian doctors are the backbone of hospital care. The association’s president anticipates a substantial number of doctors could return to their homeland.

The German Federal Doctor’s Association stated that at the end of last year, Germany had 5,758 Syrian doctors. Experts are fearing a significant burden on the already-strained medical facility in Germany if Syrian doctors leave.

Syria remains the largest refugee crisis. Syria’s neighbouring countries – Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt – host nearly 5.5 million Syrian refugees. Germany is the largest non-neighbouring host country.

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