The Russian government will allocate an additional 9,6 billion rubles for medical workers' salaries in 2026.
The decision was made due to the expected increase in the number of healthcare workers, as explained on the government website. Authorities are confident that more than 6 thousands doctors and more 8 thousands mid-level medical specialists.
According to the government order, the maximum amounts will be allocated to budgets Tuva (1,18 billion rubles), the so-called "DPR" (551,4 million), Krasnoyarsk Territory (508,7 million), Tatarstan (306,6 million) and annexed Crimea (245,9 million). The smallest amounts are North Ossetia (168,4 thousand rubles), Mordovia (307,3 thousand) and Nenets Autonomous Okrug (361,3 thousand).
The authorities' confidence that the regions will have more healthcare workers by 2026 is likely based on the fact that the law "on mandatory work for healthcare workers" will take effect on March 1. This will include those enrolled in targeted programs, those enrolled in state-funded programs, and those enrolled in commercial programs. The only exception is military spouses, for whom there are no mentoring positions or public hospitals in their spouse's place of service.
For violating the terms or refusing to work the required period, graduates will be required to reimburse all funds spent by the state on their education, including the stipend. They will also be required to pay a fine equal to double this amount. Many medical students have already spoken out against this bill.
Universities have already begun firing those who oppose mandatory work. For example, a professor in the pathophysiology department at Sechenov First Moscow Medical University was forced to resign. Anton Ershov — he was told that "a doctor and department employee has no right to discuss laws." A well-known endocrinologist and doctor of medical sciences had already been fired. Valentina Fadeeva.
As officials admitted, at the beginning of 2025 the country was short of more 23 thousands doctors and more 63 thousands mid-level medical workers.
