Health Policy Paper Series No. 17: Health workers who migrate from the Republic of Moldova to work in Italy and other European Union countries (2014)

This mixed method study undertaken from July 2013 to February 2014 suggests that a wide range of motivations inform the decision of health workers in the Republic of Moldova to migrate and stay in the European Union, indicating that financial concerns remain a key driver for the majority of them.

Upon arrival in the recipient country many of the health professionals faced challenges related to employment in the health sector. Lengthy and costly diploma recognition procedures mean that only a minority work according to their level of qualification, yet only a small number of respondents intend to return to the Republic of Moldova. Besides an analysis of the push, pull, stay and return factors, this report provides a number of considerations for policies to improve the situation of Moldovan health professionals and the Moldovan health system.