by InTrieste
The Regional Government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has approved a measure aimed at strengthening medical education and addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals across the region.
The initiative, proposed by Regional Health Councillor Riccardo Riccardi, allocates 22 additional regional training contracts for the 2024–2025 academic year to the medical schools of the Universities of Trieste, Udine, and Verona. These contracts supplement those provided by the national Ministry of Health and are intended to support the development of new medical specialists in key areas of the healthcare system.
“The goal of this measure is to offer tangible support for the training of new specialized professionals, reinforcing the link between university programs and the real needs of the regional healthcare system,” Riccardi said following the Giunta’s approval.
According to the councillor, the decision responds to the need to expand training opportunities beyond the national quota in order to meet the shortage of professionals in essential yet often less popular disciplines. These fields, though less sought after by students, are considered critical to maintaining the effective operation of hospitals and healthcare services in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Funded by regional resources dedicated to public health, the program includes specific conditions for beneficiaries. Eligible candidates must be residents of Friuli Venezia Giulia, complete their specialization program, and commit to participating in recruitment processes within the Regional Health Service during the three years following graduation. Those who fail to meet these obligations may be required to partially repay the financial support received.
Riccardi emphasized that the allocation of contracts resulted from a collaborative process between the Region and the universities. The decision took into account workforce planning, generational turnover among healthcare staff, evolving healthcare demands, and trends in student enrollment and program completion in recent years.
The measure reflects the Region’s broader strategy to ensure long-term stability and self-sufficiency in its healthcare workforce, aligning educational policy with the practical needs of the health system.