In many rural areas of Moldova, farmers face a shortage of veterinarians, with some districts relying on a single specialist to serve multiple villages. According to the National Agency for Food Safety (NAFS), there are currently 400 vacant veterinary positions across the country, IPN reports.

In response, authorities recently adopted a regulation providing incentives for young medical professionals.

Under this plan, recent graduates who choose to work in rural areas will receive a total allowance of 175,500 lei over three years, plus an additional 24,000 lei annually to cover housing rental costs. They will also be compensated for electricity and fuel expenses.

Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea emphasizes that one solution to the veterinary shortage in rural areas is the formal registration of farms. Many farmers consult unqualified individuals due to not registering their farms, which can endanger animal health, the minister warns. Registered farmers gain access to qualified veterinary services, including support from professional associations with available veterinarians.

Starting this year, veterinary medicine graduates who work in rural communities will receive a one-time incentive of approximately 200,000 lei as part of a government initiative to support the profession in underserved areas. Under the newly approved government regulation, young veterinarians will be granted 15 average monthly wages paid in three installments, along with additional benefits like housing and electricity cost reimbursements, and subsidies for firewood and coal for heating.

Last year, the Veterinary Medicine Faculty at the Technical University of Moldova enrolled over 100 students, and authorities hope the new incentives will encourage even more enrollments. Graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including on farms, at slaughterhouses, in veterinary clinics, and at state institutions, contributing to animal health and food safety in the country.

The Animal Husbandry Law, effective since August 2023, mandates that only veterinarians with higher education can prescribe animal medications, thereby ensuring traceability of animal-origin products.