Rural Saskatchewan medical practices, including those in east central Saskatchewan continue to see doctors take up residence. Physicians who have completed the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) continue to fill vacancies in rural communities.
In Rosthern, Dr. Janet Adel Fouad Abdelmalek will take up practice, and in Wynyard, Dr. Fatemeh Askarian will serve area patients.
The SIPPA program has assisted 307 doctors enter practice in the province with 74 percent taking up residence in rural Saskatchewan, says a release from the Saskatchewan government.
"Ensuring that rural Saskatchewan has a robust health care system requires attracting and retaining top talent," Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said. "SIPPA is pivotal in achieving this goal by providing international physicians with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and integrate into our smaller communities. We are committed to supporting this program and welcoming these dedicated professionals as they contribute to the health and wellbeing of our province."
The SIPPA program is designed to assess physicians who have received training internationally to evaluate their training and clinic background on a path to licensure in the province. The release states that through a return-of-service contract, qualifying doctors agree to work in the province for a minimum of three years upon completion of the SIPPA assessment.
"The Saskatchewan Health Authority celebrates the addition of our new physicians through SIPPA, who join our larger community of physicians working together every day to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients," SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. "Their commitment to practicing medicine in rural, northern and remote areas enhances our ability to provide care closest to home as possible. Together, we are building a future where every community receives the compassionate, high-quality care it deserves."