The first tender of 2019 for new specialist doctors was published in the country’s official gazette and authorises 1,264 posts, out of which 398 are for family doctors, 13 for public health specialists and 853 for hospitals.

Out of the 853 places for hospitals, the tender highlights internal medicine (159 posts), anaesthesiology (59), paediatrics (51), psychiatry (56), cardiology (35), general surgery (63) and orthopaedics (37), the statement said.

"The occupation of these places implies the technical-professional specific competencies, acquired in the context of a medical internship, and which respond to the needs expressed in hospital units," according to the statement.