In a cozy café in Albi, southern France, 72-year-old Yves Carcaillet sips his coffee while explaining why he un-retired just one year after leaving his medical practice. 🩺 \"We have a crisis,\" he tells CGTN, \"but we also have experienced doctors ready to help.\"
When Albi’s mayor reached out about the town’s physician shortage, Carcaillet sprang into action. He secured approval for France’s first-ever temporary clinic staffed entirely by retired doctors – a creative fix for a system stretched thin.
\"It’s not a cure-all,\" admits Carcaillet, who worked as a family doctor for 50 years. \"But ask any retired colleague if they’d return part-time? Most say yes. We’re qualified, we’re cheaper, and we care.\" 💪
His clinic now buzzes with silver-haired medics handling afternoon shifts. While France debates long-term solutions, this retiree-powered experiment shows how thinking outside the box – and valuing seasoned professionals – could help heal healthcare gaps. 🌍✨
