Estonian healthcare groups demand stronger focus on national language in medicine
Four major healthcare organisations in Estonia have raised concerns about the growing use of Russian in the country’s medical system. The groups are now pushing for stronger support of Estonian in professional communication across hospitals and clinics. The Estonian Society of Medical Students, the Association of Young Doctors, the Union of Doctors, and the Estonian Nurses' Union have all spoken out. They warn that Russian is becoming more common in healthcare settings, potentially sidelining the national language.
Instead of requiring foreign language skills in job ads, the organisations propose a different approach. They argue that Estonian proficiency should be assessed during the hiring process rather than making it a fixed demand upfront. The groups also want medical schools and professional associations to do more. Their call includes better education on legal language requirements for staff and students. The aim is to ensure Estonian remains the primary language in patient care and workplace communication.
The four organisations have made clear recommendations to medical employers. Job listings should no longer mandate foreign language knowledge, and hiring decisions should focus on Estonian skills. They also expect training bodies to reinforce awareness of the law on language use in healthcare.
