Last year, the number of doctors who emigrated increased by about one fifth to 475 - a rate of 39.5 a month. The pace has apparently slowed slightly this year to 35 a month.

However, the OM fears that the situation will worsen given that 158 young doctors this month were unable to start their specialist training, for lack of open posts, after the applications phase closed on Monday.

In a statement sent to Lusa, the OM complains that training capacity has not been expanded to meet an increase in the number of candidates, with the result that many doctors will not be able to start their specialist training.

The situation also prompted a reaction from the National Association of Students of Medicine (ANEM), which expressed regret that 158 young doctors as it estimates were unable to start their specialist training and noting that a further 213 gave up on their applications.