At NU Hospital in the city of Trollhättan, nurses and doctors, especially immigrants, are on the front lines serving patients. Johanna Björkman, one of the nurses at this hospital, pointed out the fact that most of her colleagues have come to Sweden from other countries, saying, "Without them, no operations would be performed." In the heart unit of this hospital, three-quarters of the ۲۰ doctors are immigrants who have come to Sweden. This fact shows that ۳۷ percent of specialist doctors nationally, and more than half of assistant nurses, were born outside of Sweden.
Exile of Teenagers and Its Impact on Families
Severe changes in Sweden's immigration policies in recent years, especially following the large influx of refugees in ۲۰۱۵, have caused significant concerns in the medical community. Dawood Javid, a senior specialist in this unit, refers to a bitter experience: "Tensions in Sweden have increased and discussions have become highly polarized." After the exile of his brother's daughters, who had lived in Sweden for eight years and were studying to become nurses, he expressed the problems faced. This situation not only led to family separations but also placed healthcare workers in a difficult position.
Hiring Challenges and the Future of Healthcare
Instead of focusing on increasing budgets, hospitals are now facing a shortage of specialized labor. Björn Yärber, the hospital director, points out that "today our main problem is not money, but finding staff with the necessary skills." In the recent elections in Sweden, concerns about healthcare topped the priorities of voters. However, right-wing politicians continue to impose immigration restrictions, and it seems this issue has negatively impacted the efficiency of the healthcare system.
As polls indicate a victory for left-wing parties, other parties are also actively calling for increased immigration to meet labor market needs. These changes in the perspective on immigration reflect a cultural and social shift in Sweden that may influence the country's policies in the near future.
