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Some consider Manitoba’s health-care system to be on life support and the NDP are taking what are said to be “bold” steps to save it.
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In the new government’s first budget, they earmarked $309.5 million for staff recruitment, retention and training.
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That includes hiring 100 new doctors in the next 12 months as part of a broader plan to rebuild health care, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced Thursday at the Grace Hospital.
“We are encouraged by the Manitoba government’s ambitious commitment to add 100 more doctors by this time next year, which would be a new record for Manitoba,” said Dr. Michael Boroditsky, president, Doctors Manitoba in a press release.
“Our province has one of the biggest physician shortages in Canada, and that has a direct impact on wait times, on access to a family doctor and the ability to see a specialist,” said Boroditsky. “Setting a bold target like this demonstrates a sincere commitment to turning this situation around. Achieving what has never done before will take a true partnership with all the players including physicians and we are ready to help.”
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Staff recruitment will play a big role in healing our health care and so will retention and training. Funding for physician recruitment and medical residency spots is increasing by 38%.
“We’re making big investments to address the staffing shortage and rebuild health care, so Manitobans aren’t stuck waiting for the care they need,” said Kinew. “Our plan will mean 100 more doctors on the frontlines, in clinics and hospitals across Manitoba.”
“Manitoba has fewer doctors per capita than almost every other province,” said Asagwara. “People in Manitoba deserve better. Our new government is improving the culture in health care, and we will work as a united front with our partners to ensure that Manitobans can get connected with a family doctor faster, see a specialist, and get emergency care when they need it.”
The Manitoba government said it will hire 1,000 new health-care workers this year. They plan to reach that goal through retention, recruiting, new training seats, streamlined licensing for internationally educated health-care workers and community recruitment.
Kinew said Manitoba’s affordable housing, cultural opportunities and improving culture in health care will make Manitoba an attractive place for doctors, nurses, and other frontline health-care workers to live and work.
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