Qualicum Beach council has endorsed a plan to send a letter to the B.C. Minister of Health, highlighting the need for doctors in the town and to help international physicians already in the area get licensed to practice medicine in Canada.
On Nov. 20, Javier Cabrera, who was a doctor in Colombia, appeared before council to make them aware of the difficulties they have been experiencing in getting their applications to be licensed to work as doctors.
Cabrera said currently there are six experienced doctors, trained internationally, living in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area with their families, who are in this challenging position. Two are gynecologists, two anesthesiologists, one family physician and one geriatrician. They have asked council for support and assistance in landing their medical licences.
Considering the shortage of doctors and difficulty the region has had in attracting doctors, Mayor Teunis Westbroek said it would be appropriate for the town to have the Minister of Health Josie Osborne take on this task. He acknowledged the process of getting their licence approved by the College of Physician is an expensive and difficult undertaking.
Council endorsed, at its Dec. 11 regular board meeting, a letter to send seeking support from the Ministry of Health regarding immigrant physicians and physician shortage in the town.
Coun. Scott Harrison suggested the province offer the doctors a no-cost loan they can repay over time, so they can focus more on meeting the requirements they need to become a licenced doctor in Canadas