A commitment to public health
In an effort to address the growing demand for medical professionals, the Government of Catalonia has announced an ambitious plan that will include 692 new medical places in its universities over the next five years. This measure aims not only to increase the educational offering but also to ensure that young aspiring doctors can train in their own region.
Currently, Catalonia faces a critical situation with a ratio of 3.7 applications per place, reflecting an alarming shortage of doctors. The retirement of the 'baby boom' generation and the geographical mobility of younger generations have exacerbated this problem. In this context, the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, announced the plan during the event titled Present and Future of Medical Studies in Catalonia, held at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona.
Illa emphasised: “We need more doctors, and we need young people who want to become doctors to be able to study at Catalan universities.” This commitment translates into a 50% increase in available places, rising from 1,333 to 2,025 for the academic year 2031-2032.
Starting from the next academic year (2026-2027), two new medical programmes will be launched: one at Ramon Llull University with 120 places and another at Abat Oliva University with 50 additional places. Additionally, the University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) will expand its offering with 25 new places. These initiatives represent approximately 28% of the total needed to reach the proposed goal.
It is not only about increasing the places; this comprehensive plan also includes significant investment aimed at improving educational and healthcare infrastructures. A total of 100 million euros will be allocated to create new facilities and promote projects related to medical and biological sciences.
As these new places are implemented, it is anticipated that this could lead to a gradual reduction in the grades required to access studies through the University Access Tests (PAU). However, the Government warns that these changes will not be immediate.
By strengthening the medical and healthcare education system, Catalonia aims to position itself among the most innovative regions in Europe by 2030. With this strategy, it is expected not only to improve local healthcare but also to foster sustainable economic development based on key disciplines such as Medicine and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
You may also like
