The disparity in medical student facilities needs to be changed immediately.

Lilja Rannveig Sigurgeirsdóttir, Member of Parliament, discussed the shortage of doctors in the country during parliamentary proceedings. She reminded that there is a desire to provide good health services and it is therefore a concern if the shortage of doctors becomes more serious in the coming years.

“Population growth and the ageing of the nation will naturally require increased efforts in the healthcare system. Alongside this, shortages within the sector are something we are all too familiar with these days,” said Lilja Rannveig.

We are importing specialised doctors to respond to the situation and also by ensuring that Icelandic students have opportunities for medical training and increased specialisation.

“A number of Icelandic students are heading off to study medicine. As a result, the majority of them return home with substantial experience and expertise that benefits society. They join the group graduating from the University of Iceland, which is the only university in the country that graduates doctors. It only admits 60 students a year, which is not sufficient to address the shortage we are facing,” said Lilja Rannveig.

The disparity in conditions is, however, obvious for Icelandic medical students abroad, as they are required to pay a large portion of their tuition fees upfront out of their own pockets or receive support from others. Students at the University of Iceland are not bound by the same obligations.

“Icelandic medical students studying abroad have repeatedly pointed out that they do not receive the same support as those who study here at home. … Because of this, many miss the opportunity to become doctors, and others may even be forced to drop out in the middle of their studies,” said Lilja Rannveig.

“The benefits to society of better supporting medical students abroad are significant. I particularly look to the student loan system and Article 27 of the Law on the Education Fund for Students, which allows for special concessions on study subjects. Through this provision, it is possible to make changes to allocation rules so that foreign medical students can receive loans for the entirety of their studies. In light of the circumstances, there is cause for this, and I urge the Honourable Minister of Higher Education to take action accordingly,” concluded Lilja Rannveig.