in the Gers, a territorial center fights against the medical desert

Fleurance health center (Gers) don’t let up. “We no longer have a doctor, ours has retired and all the doctors 20 km around no longer want to take patients”says a woman, who traveled more than 20 km to come. “It’s good for patients because finding a doctor is not always easy, especially in the countryside.“, adds a man.

The territorial health center, installed in the premises of a former school, includes two general practitioners, as well as an assistant and a medical secretary. They are salaried by the departmental council of Gers. “The advantage of being an employee is to have (…) flexibility in terms of hours and the amount of work”, explains Amelie Muddoctor employee at the Gers departmental health centre. The Gers is facing a shortage of doctors. “There were only four liberal doctors before the territorial health center was set up”underlines Jerome Samalensvice-president of the Departmental Council of the Gers.