Russia is recruiting unqualified doctors from Africa due to a shortage of personnel caused by the war and mobilization. The healthcare system continues to degrade.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain on Twitter.

According to the summary, on April 3, the head of the State Duma of Russia announced a shortage of 30,000 doctors, with approximately 50% deficit in district hospitals. This is more than the 26,500 shortage reported in November 2023.

According to British intelligence, the current shortage is explained by some medical workers working in the private sector, while others have left the country. After the mobilization in September 2022, doctors were directly warned not to leave the country. Up to 2% of Russian doctors and medical workers left Russia to avoid conscription.

According to estimates as of January 2024, over the previous 15 months, the number of doctors has decreased by 7,500 due to long working hours and low wages. According to the Center for European Policy Analysis, to address this issue, Russia is recruiting employees from African countries with limited qualification verification.

"The main resources and financial commitments to support Russia's war in Ukraine have a negative impact on a number of civilian sectors that serve the Russian population. The number of medical workers in Russia will continue to decrease throughout 2024. Recruiting medical personnel from outside with limited qualification verification creates potential for degradation of clinical practice," the British Ministry of Defense said.