This seems absurd: doctors and specialized medical personnel are certainly desperately needed in Luxembourg, but around 200 people who obtained a medical degree in a non-EU country are unemployed in the Grand Duchy. This is what the Minister of Health Martine Deprez (CSV) and the Minister of Higher Education Stéphanie Obertin (DP) explain in their response to a parliamentary question from LSAP MP Dan Biancalana.
Among the 200 medical graduates currently registered at Adem, we find doctors, psychologists, midwives and qualified nurses. The problem is that their diplomas are not recognized in Luxembourg and they therefore cannot practice their profession. Indeed, people who have completed their medical studies outside the EU must first have their diploma recognized in another EU member state before being able to practice in Luxembourg.
In this case, Adem informs the people concerned of the steps to follow to have their medical diploma recognized in Luxembourg. Martine Deprez and Stéphanie Obertin were unable to say how many third-country diplomas have actually been recognized over the last ten years, because these figures are not systematically recorded.
Last resort: professional reorientation
In cases where recognition is not possible, Adem tries to redirect the people concerned towards other professions. In several cases, this has been successful, we can read in the response from Martine Deprez and Stéphanie Obertin.
Another problem: half of the 200 people indicate that they do not have the required B2 language level in German or French. In their response, the two ministers explain that the continuing education center ”DeWidong” in Belval currently offers the corresponding language courses, designed for communication in the health professions.
This article was originally published on the website of Luxembourg word.
Adaptation: Antony Speciale
