As part of Budget 2024, the Manitoba government has announced that it will hire 100 new doctors as part of a broader plan to rebuild health care in the province.
“After seven years of cuts, 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 Premier Wab Kinew. “Our plan will mean 100 more doctors on the frontlines, in clinics and hospitals across Manitoba.”
The Manitoba government is investing $309.5 million toward staff recruitment, retention and training including increasing funding for physician recruitment and medical residency spots by 38 per cent. The government’s new Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office will play a strong role in ensuring doctors stay in the province, the premier noted.
“Manitoba has fewer doctors per capita than almost every other province,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma 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.”
As outlined in Budget 2024, the Manitoba government will hire 1,000 new health-care workers this year. Hiring physicians is one part of the government’s commitment to improve health-care staffing by retaining, recruiting and training more health-care workers, with new training seats, streamlined licensing for internationally educated health-care workers and community recruitment. The premier noted that 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.
“We are very 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. “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. 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.”
Budget 2024 delivers on the Manitoba government’s commitment to rebuild health care and lower costs for families. It reflects the values and priorities of everyday families across the province.
