The Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG) assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical license to practice as a family doctor in Manitoba.
In the past year, Prairie Mountain Health has welcomed five new doctors to the Parkland region. One additional doctor will be working in Neepawa, while Virden and Souris are also receiving a new doctor each.
Swan River will be receiving three of the Parkland region physicians, while two are heading to Roblin.
Tamara Kemp-Boulet is with Prairie Mountain Health.
"We have so many community members that are having to travel for healthcare outside of their communities," said Kemp-Boulet. "Or emergency departments that can't be open at all times, resulting in community members needing to travel. By using this program, we can welcome new doctors to our region. We hope to extend clinic and emergency department hours."
There is no lack of conversation resulting in the healthcare shortage in Manitoba. Wait times are up, and many Manitobans have to wait a long period before getting the care they need. In Prairie Mountain Health, the eight new international medical graduates who will practice in Manitoba are certainly a step in the right direction.
Kemp-Boulet addresses whether PMH is nearing where they need to be.
"We certainly are. In the last year and a bit, we have hired 50 doctors in various communities within PMH," offered Kemp-Boulet. "We will continue to do that through programs such as this and our own recruitment. We are getting closer. We do still have gaps we need to fill, but we're definitely closer than we were one year ago."
The eight doctors have agreed to practice in their respective communities for four years. Last year, graduates of the program were placed in Deloraine, Grandview, Russell, Ste. Rose, and Virden. Two years ago, physicians were placed in Glenboro, Hamiota, Russell, Swan River, and Virden.
Dauphin once again did not receive any new physicians through the program. That's because, as Kemp-Boulet says, they are in a good spot.
"Dauphin has been somewhat stable. Dauphin does an excellent job of recruiting," said Kemp-Boulet. "We absolutely will place in Dauphin when the need is there."
As noted above, three doctors were placed in Swan River.
"They still have a little bit of ways to go," ended Kemp-Boulet. "But, it is certainly much better than it was a couple of months ago."
Where are they headed?
Swan River
- Dr. Uche Adediji
- Dr. Toyin Oluwatuyi
- Dr. Oghenekevwe Ekrebe (early September start)
Neepawa
- Dr. Louis Eleche
Souris
- Dr. Rilwan Azeez for Souris (mid-September start)
Roblin
- Dr. Anahita Yousefiadib
- Dr. Zoia Khattak
Virden
- Dr. Sylvia Oranika
Seven doctors in the MLPIMG program started their training this past June. If they're successful, they'll start practicing in Prairie Mountain Health by the fall of 2026.
