Ontario's Health Minister made the trip to Minto Thursday to announce new internationally trained family physicians are beginning to practice medicine in rural and northern communities.
Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health, touted the government's Practice Ready Ontario program, which was launched in 2023. The program speeds up the licensing process for foreign-trained doctors, which has allowed the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team to bring a new physician, Dr. Narah Luzinga, into their ranks.
Jones said the program should soon produce 100 new physicians in these under-served areas.
"Each physician completes a six-week assessment to demonstrate that they have the skills needed to practice in rural Ontario," she said. "Twenty-eight family doctors have completed the Practice Ready Ontario program and are connecting more people in communities, like right here in Palmerston, to primary care. It is anticipated the full 100 family doctors will their training in 2025."
Each physician who participates must do a three-year return of service as a family doctor in a rural or northern community.
Dr.Luzinga was brought into the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team through the program and said it's great opportunity.
"This program represents a significant milestone in my journey toward practicing medicine in Canada," she said. "I am deeply grateful for chance to contribute to the healthcare system of this country."
The provincial government said if those 100 doctors complete their training, the program should connect an additional 120,000 people to care.