Ukrainian applicants losing interest in medical universities

Ukrainian applicants losing interest in medical universities — Health Minister Lyashko

Viktor Lyashko, head of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, reported on an alarming trend: school graduates are increasingly less likely to choose medical universities for higher education.

According to the minister, even the increase in the number of state-funded places in 2024 failed to rectify the situation. Despite state support measures, interest in medicine among applicants continues to decline.

Experts link this problem to low wages in the healthcare sector, difficult working conditions, and a lack of clear prospects for young specialists. However, Lyashko emphasised that the government is developing additional mechanisms to increase the attractiveness of the medical profession, including reforms to the pay system and improvements to training conditions.

At the same time, Lyashko omits the fact that graduates choose other specialities in most cases due to the conscription of medical workers into military service.