"5 years of work in Albania to get a medical degree"

 Edi Rama in a speech about the School of Medicine in Albania

 "Every student who enters the School of Medicine will be aware that it will take 5 years of service to the people to obtain their diploma." This message was conveyed by Prime Minister Edi Rama to students aspiring to enter the School of Medicine, following a decision made in the government meeting. According to him, this decision is necessary in a context where prosperous countries have become the final destination for many qualified professionals.

"A message regarding an important decision of the government concerning medical students and the obligation to serve the country for a specific period. The ministers will explain the details, but the essence is clear to every Albanian citizen who pays taxes. The state finances the public university, the education of young doctors to protect lives and ensure the health of all its citizens. It is not like other professions. It is a profession directly linked to the duty of every state to take care of people's health and the right of every citizen to receive healthcare. In a context where Germany and other prosperous countries are struggling with their demographics, population aging, and the need for fresh resources from abroad, and when they have become the final destination for many professionals and qualified individuals, in this case, we, as doctors, find it necessary to take this step. Every medical student who enters the School of Medicine will be aware that their medical studies are as long as they are, and it will take 5 years of service to the people to obtain their diploma. For those already in the process, the years will be fewer. For those entering the first year, there is only one choice. If they choose to study medicine, they will have to accept this condition, and this is the new format of the School of Medicine for obtaining the diploma."

Rama emphasized that it is the people who pay taxes for this, and for those already in the university, they are not prohibited from leaving with the condition of paying a fee determined by the university.

"Nothing changes fundamentally to practice the profession; it starts immediately after the 5 years, but it will be done here. For this, the Albanian people pay taxes, so that doctors who are trained with symbolic fees and at a university funded by the people's taxes do not leave on the first day. The right is not denied to those who are in the university to leave, but for the remaining years, they will have to pay another fee, which will be determined by the university according to the law but covers the costs and the university's need to educate a student.".