Andorra Health Minister Shares Strategies for Retaining Healthcare Workers at WHO Small States Meeting

Andorra's Health Minister Helena Mas is attending the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Small States Initiative in Riga, Latvia, this week, organised by WHO Europe. The gathering brings together health ministers and senior representatives from European countries with fewer than two million inhabitants to address shared challenges, with this year's focus on healthcare professionals.

During her interventions, Mas outlined Andorra's strategy to ensure the sustainability of its health system while tackling the widespread issue of attracting and retaining skilled workers. She emphasised the unique dynamics of small nations, noting that the absence of just one or two professionals can have a major impact, but the arrival of a few can bring immediate improvements.

Mas highlighted close cooperation with neighbouring regions in Spain and France, which supports patient referrals and professional mobility. To boost appeal, Andorra is modernising infrastructure and technology, introducing a competitive career progression system at the Andorran Health Services (SAAS), and establishing the University Institute for Health Research. This institute provides public funding for research projects and fosters collaboration among healthcare staff.

The minister also described ongoing efforts, developed with input from professionals, to update medical procedure fees based on complexity, new technologies, and available evidence. On generational renewal, Mas stressed work-life balance as a key priority for younger workers, pointing to Andorra's flexible professional models that include salaried positions and liberal practice options.