The Ministry of Health has taken into account some of the proposals made by members of parliament regarding the draft law on mandatory work experience for medical school graduates. Review

Background

A bill requiring students applying for state-funded places in higher medical and pharmaceutical education programs to sign targeted training agreements and then complete mandatory mentored work placements for three years after graduation was submitted to the State Duma by the Russian Government on September 1, 2025. The initiative established the category of students exempt from this measure, requirements for students who previously dropped out of their studies and then decided to reinstate, and liability for students and clients for violating the terms of the targeted training agreement and for its termination. If a student violates the terms of the agreement, they are required to pay compensation equal to the first year of tuition and a fine equal to twice the compensation.

During the first reading of the initiative on October 8, many deputies pointed to the lack of social guarantees for future specialists under such strict conditions and noted that these measures would not solve the healthcare workforce shortage. During the discussion, members of parliament proposed not introducing a single mandatory notice period, but rather establishing it based on specialization, deferring the conclusion of a targeted contract, adjusting the fine, establishing a special provision for mentors, and more.

At the plenary session, Deputy Minister of Healthcare of the Russian Federation Tatyana Semenova promised to take into account some proposals and noted that the overall process would be similar to the internship program, which was abolished in Russia in 2016.

Accepted adjustments

Seventeen proposals were taken into account when drafting the new version of the bill for the second reading, which will take place in the State Duma on October 30. The document stipulates that all state-funded places will now be targeted only for the residency program. There will be no changes to the specialty program: state-funded places will be listed separately from targeted places. The contract with the client must be concluded before the final assessment.

Mentoring will be provided for a period of no more than three years, taking into account the training area and the location of the organization where the medical activities are carried out. The list of specialties, as well as mentoring regulations, will be established by the Russian Ministry of Health. Essentially, the law will establish certain frameworks, and the specifics will be determined by secondary legislation. The issue of social benefits will be addressed separately.

Young professionals must be mentored by a healthcare organization participating in the state-guaranteed program. This means they can choose a mentor from either a public healthcare institution or a private clinic, if it's part of the state-guaranteed program.

The bill states that educational institutions are obligated to assist students in concluding a targeted training agreement and monitor its proper implementation.

Mentoring will not be mandatory for admission to work, but the young specialist will have to re-take the initial accreditation after its expiration, rather than the standard periodic one.

Another addition is the introduction of a separate competition for "targeted students" planning to attend college. Students will be admitted on a priority basis, regardless of their grades.

As before, if approved, the law, with the exception of some provisions, will come into force on March 1, 2026.

Unaccounted proposals

In addition to the mentoring period, parliamentarians were concerned about fines. Alexey Kurinny, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection (CPRF faction), noted that if a targeted student studying in a region ultimately withdraws from their studies, they will be required to pay 6 million rubles. For the capital, this figure is 10 million rubles. The New People faction proposed setting a limit of no more than 50% of the tuition reimbursement. The party also believes it is necessary to introduce a list of valid reasons for which the fine may be reduced or waived.

However, the amount of sanctions remains the same: 100% compensation for the first year of study and a fine in the amount of two compensations.