Round Table in Paris: “Challenges and Opportunities for Slovak Healthcare Professionals Working Abroad”

On 20 March 2026, an expert round table on the topic “Challenges and Opportunities for Slovak Healthcare Professionals Working Abroad” took place at Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu in Paris. The event was held offline and brought together representatives of the Slovak healthcare community, project partners, and professionals working in France.

The main goal of the meeting was to present the project “Permanent Conference of Slovak Healthcare Professionals – connecting Slovak doctors, healthcare workers, social workers, and students working abroad with Slovakia”, while also creating space for linking the Slovak healthcare diaspora with colleagues in Slovakia and the United Kingdom. The event showed that there is a very strong interest among Slovak healthcare professionals abroad in mutual communication, professional exchange of experience, and building new partnerships.

The programme was opened by Marian Neradný, Executive Secretary of MALnS and Project Manager, who introduced the project and its main objectives. He was followed by Alona Kurotová, founding member and Chairwoman of the MALnS association, who presented the activities of the organisation as the project implementer. The programme also included a presentation of the partner organisation ASHCPUK, delivered by its Director, Helena Aziri.

The discussion focused on several current topics, especially the position of healthcare professionals within the French healthcare system, the integration and inclusion of foreign staff, as well as opportunities for further cooperation among Slovak professionals working in different countries. Participants had the opportunity to share their practical experience and speak about the specific challenges they face in an international professional environment.

The round table in Paris confirmed that such events are of great importance. They help build professional ties, strengthen the connection between the Slovak healthcare diaspora and Slovakia, and open space for future cooperation with Slovak healthcare providers. The event concluded with a short tour of Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, which symbolically brought the meeting to a close in a historic and professional setting.