The doctor shortage in the Iisalmi region has reached an exceptionally difficult level, Iltalehti reports. At the Iisalmi health and social care centre, there are only eight doctors serving a population of more than 20,000.

The situation is even more strained in Kiuruvesi. The local health and social care station has just one doctor on staff, while four doctor posts remain open, underscoring how hard it is to keep services running in the area.