In Italy, a new decree allows Ukrainian refugees who are healthcare professionals to work in hospitals or in private practices until March 2023, if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Ukrainian health workers who fled the Russian invasion have been allowed to work in Italy, in hospitals or private practices, starting Wednesday (March 23). COVID vaccines, which are compulsory for health workers in the country, will also be mandatory for Ukrainian medical professionals.
Ukrainians will be allowed to work in healthcare...
This is according to an 'urgent measures' decree recently published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale (Official Gazzette -- a publication which in part serves as a guideline for Italian officials on how to interpret laws and norms established by the government).
Under the decree, Ukrainian citizens who were living in Ukraine prior to the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 will be allowed to work in healthcare in Italy "temporarily" until March 4, 2023, if they have the proper qualifications and training.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities can temporarily hire Ukrainians who have a European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, on short-term contracts or as freelancers, according to the decree.
... if they are vaccinated against COVID-19
Filippo Anelli, the president of the Federation of doctors' guilds (Fnomceo), said the measure was important. However, he stressed that the legislation stated that medical professionals needed to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as "a fundamental requirement" to work in Italy. "Therefore, Ukrainian doctors will need to get vaccinated once they practice the profession in Italy," Anelli said.
He said that "job applications have already been presented, in particular by some Ukrainian health professionals who have arrived in Italy, like dental technicians."
But he also stressed that "many doctors have remained in Ukraine to assist the population."