Manitoba physicians group cites jump in number of doctors, says more work remains
WINNIPEG — The group that represents doctors across Manitoba says the province has seen a bigger-than-ever increase in the number of physicians in the health-care system.
Doctors Manitoba, citing government statistics, says there was a net increase of 116 physicians between April 1 and Aug. 31 of this year.
The group says that while numbers can ebb and flow from month to month, it is confident the upward trend will continue.
Doctors Manitoba released a report in June that said almost half of existing physicians are considering retiring, reducing their hours, or moving to another province.
The group's president, Dr. Randy Guzman, says Manitoba already has a doctor shortage, and would need 346 more doctors to reach the national average of doctors per capita.
Manitoba has consistently ranked low in the number of family doctors, specialists and others as tracked by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024
The Canadian Press
