Doctors leaving Malaga in droves

Almost 180 doctors from Malaga have packed their bags and left the province since 2012.

The Official Medical Association in the Province set up an advice bureau in September 2012 which has seen 177 doctors leave the province, 124 to other parts of Spain and 53 abroad.

The President of the Association, Juan Jose Sanchez, said that the financial crisis has had “devastating effects” on doctors in Malaga province.

Because of this, an event is being held in Malaga this week to help doctors find work within Spain and abroad, including offering them facilities to learn languages.

Back in 2007, only 10 doctors went abroad to work, a figure which has been constantly rising since the following year. Most of them head to countries within the EU, especially the UK, followed by Sweden, Germany and France.

Other popular destinations are Australia, New Zealand, the UAE and Chile.

Most of the doctors who decide to go abroad are males aged between 35 and 40.