Brandenburg's bold plan to fix its rural doctor shortage by 2026
Cottbus (dpa/bb) â Brandenburg aims to ease the shortage of rural doctors by introducing a "rural physician quota" for medical studies. The state cabinet approved a plan to reserve a portion of first-year spots at the new Medical University of Lusatia in Cottbus for applicants who commit to working as rural doctors for ten years after graduation. The quota will cover 10% of available first-semester places, according to the State Chancellery.
State Premier Dietmar Woidke (SPD) hailed the move as a crucial step toward ensuring medical care across all regions of Brandenburg. "The clear mandate is to get doctors where they are needed most," Woidke said in a statement.
As of late 2024, Brandenburg had around 1,700 general practitioners, according to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physiciansâwith roughly one-third aged 60 or older, meaning many will soon retire.
Health and Social Cohesion Minister RenĂŠ Wilke (SPD) sees the rural physician quota as addressing two pressing challenges: "The population is aging, while at the same time, many GPs are retiring," he said.
Wilke also emphasized the broader role of rural doctors: "Rural practices don't just provide essential medical careâthey also serve as social hubs."
The quota system will also give prospective students the chance to start medical school without long waiting periods after graduation. The first cohort is expected to begin studies at the new Medical University of Lusatia in the 2026/27 winter semester.
The initiative was initially launched by former Health Minister Britta MĂźller (independent). The state parliament will now debate the final legislation. Several other German states have already implemented similar rural physician quotas for medical studies.
In addition to the quota, the program will be supported by scholarships for medical students under the rural doctors' initiative led by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
