Foreign Veterinarians on Board: A Desperate Bid to Fill Rural Germay's Vet Shortage
Foreign Veterans Sought Due to Shortage of Skilled Workers - Consulted on proposal for animal and environmental protection legislation
Vet shortages aren't limited to bustling cities—small-town clinics are struggling too. The lack of local vets in rural Germany has reached a crisis point, with positions often remaining vacant for months on end. That's where foreign vets like Asal Ilkhani Zadeh and Mohammad Ranjbar, hailing from Iran, come into the picture. Since 2024, Matthias Link, a vet from Varrel, Lower Saxony, has employed these talented professionals in his practice.
Zadeh, now acting in a small animal practice near Sulingen, shared her initial struggles. "At first, it was tough because the locals speak a different dialect from what I learned in German classes, especially when they'repanicked about their pets," said the 30-year-old. Thankfully, Zadeh and Ranjbar, 33, from Tabriz, northern Iran, have found the work in Germany not drastically different from their home country.
Incorporating local jargon such as milk fever, stone calf, and farrowing took a bit of time and farm visits. But Zadeh is satisfied, stating, "I like the peace and nature here, and the friendly people." Ranjbar agrees, asserting that he's happy in rural Germany.
Aging veterinarians and a lack of successors
Although Germany boasts an increased number of practicing vets since 2013, many opt to work part-time, and women now represent over 70% of the profession. In the next decade, around 3,000 vet practitioners are set to retire due to age. Dr. Link (61), an independent practitioner, foresees the need for additional help. "I need at least one to one and a half new colleagues to carry on my workload," he shared.
The Lower Saxony state government is pushing for faster recognition of foreign veterinary training, but progress has been slow. Lower Saxony's agriculture minister Miriam Staudte (Greens) lamented the Bundesrat's delay on the topic. It's not just independent practitioners facing a worker shortage; veterinary offices nationwide report similar struggles. Staudte warned, "It's not just about healthy animals, but also about disease control, feed, and food safety."
Language and cultural barriers, bureaucracy, and relocation challenges
Recruiting foreign vets from countries like Iran presents challenges like language and cultural barriers, recognition of qualifications, integration, and lack of support networks. However, the urgent need for vets in rural communities, where access to care is vital for livestock health and local economies, continues to drive targeted recruitment efforts.
Sources:
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- Al-Douri, S. (2021, October 11). The Lesser-Known Veterinary Shortage in Germany. The Local Germany. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20211011/the-lesser-known-veterinary-shortage-in-germany
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- As the rural veterinary shortage in Germany intensifies, the Science and Health-and-Wellness sectors are collaborating to expedite the recognition of foreign veterinary qualifications, acknowledging the critical role foreign vets play in maintaining the health of animals and local economies.
- The increasing retirement of vets in the coming decade, coupled with a growing interest in the part-time and women-dominated profession, necessitates the employment of foreign vets in accordance with community and employment policies, ensuring a continuation of essential veterinary services for the benefit of rural Germany's agricultural industry and community.
