– It is frustrating. I really just want to continue doing my job helping people. And I see that many people are struggling to get medical help in this country. news meets Galyna Grygoruk (42) at Kongsgård school center in Kristiansand. Here, the war refugee from eastern Ukraine is busy learning Norwegian. In her home country, she worked as a doctor, while at the same time teaching medical students at a university hospital. But the goal of being able to continue working as a doctor here in Norway was far tougher than she had imagined. – I obviously have to learn Norwegian well, and that may take a couple of years. But in addition, I have to count on taking two to three years of medical studies again, says Grygoruk. On this day, there are Norwegian flags and festively decorated students from all over the world at school. Galyna is grateful for the way Norway has welcomed her and other Ukrainians. But she is puzzled by the rules that apply to authorisation. – A lot of expensive translation and documentation of my education and practice is required. I wish it were easier, says the 42-year-old. Galyna Grygoruk took part in the national day marking at adult education. She is grateful for the way she has been received, but does not understand that it will take several years of further education before she can work as a doctor again. Photo: Erik Wiig Andersen / news Many people get the thumbs down Galyna is just one of several thousand fully trained health workers from abroad that the Norwegian health authorities do not want to let in. Figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) show that in 2035 Norway will lack 28,000 nurses and 18,000 health professionals. There will also be a need for many more doctors. Calculations from the Norwegian Medical Association show that there is a need for around 3,600 new GPs up to 2035. This corresponds to around 260 new ones every year. Calculations made by news show that only around half of the 1,874 foreign health professionals who applied for authorization from 2020 to 2023 were granted this. Figures from the Norwegian Health Authority show that almost a quarter of the foreign nurses in the same situation were refused. But an ongoing staffing crisis in the healthcare system does not change the strict assessments. – Lack of health personnel does not affect professional assessments and processes, confirms department director Anne Farseth in the Norwegian Directorate of Health to news. – The legislation must contribute to safety for patients and quality in the health and care service. It should also give confidence to healthcare personnel, says Farseth. Lack of health workers does not affect the approval of education done abroad, says department director, Anne Farseth in the Directorate of Health. Photo: Rebecca Ravneberg – Seems depressing Magnar Selstø at Adult Education in Arendal runs Norwegian education for many highly educated people from Ukraine, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Eritrea, China, Turkey and Syria. He says it is very tough for those who experience having their education rejected. – The competence that adults bring with them to a new country is more than a piece of paper that says what they can do. Education and occupation are actually part of identity. The thought of starting over can often seem depressing, says Selstø. He is a supporter of strict language requirements, but believes the requirements must be more relevant. – Before making language requirements, you must carry out a job analysis where you go through which language actions you need in the job. Magnar Selstø teaches many trained healthcare workers Norwegian. He says many people find it depressing to have to take part or all of their education again when they come to Norway. Photo: Private – Too square a system – You shoot integration in the foot by having too square a set of regulations. We are too complacent if we don’t see that we badly need these people, says general secretary Pål Nesse of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (Noas). He believes that it is very frustrating for refugees and others with a high level of education to face a strict set of regulations when presenting their educational documents. – It is a great paradox that we need so many health workers and at the same time reject people with relevant education. Nesse believes that politicians, educational institutions and the bureaucracy must get together and create a new and more flexible system. – Not everything that Norwegian nurses do requires a full Norwegian education. One must look at whether parts of this can be done with a slightly different type of education as well. In the last 20 years, there have been 40,000 more people over the age of 80 in Norway. From 2020 to 2040, the number will increase by 250,000. Pål Nesse in NOAS believes it is a great paradox that we need so many health workers and at the same time reject people with relevant education. He wants a more flexible system for approval. Photo: NOAS? Wants to become a doctor for Ukrainians Galyna Grygoruk has noticed the shortage of doctors in Norway, and that many refugees are struggling to find a GP. – It was very surprising. In Ukraine, I mostly got a doctor’s appointment during the day. But she has an idea of how she herself can contribute in the area. – I could imagine starting a medical practice for Ukrainian refugees here in Kristiansand. I speak the language and I know my people. It would be beneficial for everyone. Galyna Grygoruk with a fellow student and a manager at adult education in Kristiansand. Photo: Erik Wiig Andersen / news Shall create trust State Secretary Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt in the Ministry of Health and Care believes the rules are good. But he understands that it is frustrating to have to take all or part of the education again. He also points out that the government has now asked the Norwegian Health Authority to review the authorization rules again. – The rules exist for patient safety and to create trust in the healthcare system.
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Ukrainian Galyna (42) was a doctor in her home country – does not get Norwegian approval – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
