A Clare Doctor claims Ireland is shooting itself in the foot in its approach to recruit medical professionals.
More than two-hundred students have wrote to the Minister for Higher Education this week over financial barriers to the graduate medicine programme.
A total of 242 signatories put their name to the letter calling on the Minister Simon Harris to urgently examine the ongoing crisis in affordability and accessibility of Graduate Entry Medicine in Ireland.
The course which is available at University of Limerick, UCD, UCC and the Royal College of Surgeons, can range in costs from €14,580 to €17,760 per annum.
Previously, Bank Of Ireland offered a student loan for the course, and this was capped at €15,000 a year.
But this initiative was discontinued last year, meaning parents and households are footing the bill entirely.
To add insult to injury for students, participants of graduate medicine are not eligible for the SUSI Grant or any other student support fund.
Student Support Officer at University Of Limerick, Shane Laffan says the government must take inspiration from other countries to prevent a brain drain crisis.
A Clare Doctor believes, meanwhile, that Ireland is shooting itself in the foot with its recruitment policies.
HSE figures show that in June alone, 933 consultant positions throughout the country had no permanent incumbent.
Additionally, the Irish College of General Practitioners estimate a current shortfall of 1,830 GPs nationwide, while 500 service providers will reach retirement age in the next three years.
Lahinch GP and Clare IMO representative, Dr. Michael Kelleher says financial barriers to entry must be urgently removed.
You can listen to the full interview below.
