In her article, Mari Krass addresses a significant leadership crisis facing healthcare institutions in Estonia, marked by the alarming trend of entire medical specialty teams resigning from hospitals. This situation has been underscored by recent incidents at Tartu University Hospital and hospitals in Tallinn, where not only are doctors leaving, but also other specialists, indicating systemic issues that have been ignored for too long. Events such as the resignation of staff in the endocrinology department at Tartu University and dermatology teams at Ida-Tallinna Keskhaigla spotlight the severity of the situation.

Krass delves into how these collective departures indicate deeper organizational disarray and symbolize a crisis in management that necessitates bold analysis and systemic alterations to rectify. Furthermore, allegations of corruption within orthopedic departments at PERH and Tartu University Hospital have drawn public scrutiny, prompting concern that the reported cases may only represent the tip of the iceberg. The underlying tensions affecting staff morale and cohesion are likely more widespread than those that have been publicly reported.

The article emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues, as many people express genuine bewilderment over the ongoing exodus of healthcare staff. Krass calls for a comprehensive examination of the underlying causes that drive such a significant number of nurses and doctors to leave their positions. The implications of this crisis extend beyond immediate staffing challenges, risking the overall quality of healthcare services in Estonia if not dealt with promptly and effectively.