REGINA – Dr. Olayiwola Akinloye moved to Saskatchewan four years ago, after working in Nigeria and South Africa for over a decade. The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region helped him find a job here, and even provided him a stipend as an incentive.
“In terms of the prospect for physicians in South Africa, it’s probably at par. But of course the quality of life in Canada is better,” said Dr. Akinloye.
He didn’t cash in on any government grants, but many other doctors do.
Medical students in Saskatchewan or licensed physicians in other provinces or countries can access funds to start their own clinic – with the expectation that they stay for three to five years.
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“We do know that about 88 per cent of those that do receive a bursary or a grant from us do return their service to Saskatchewan resident. And for that we’re very grateful,” said Brad Havervold, Executive Director of workforce planning for the Ministry of Health.
But that’s not always the case. Since 1992, five people have fled the province, and owe nearly $300,000 taxpayer dollars. Now the government is reaching out to the College of Physicians and Surgeons for some help.
But blacklisting doctors in other provinces, is something the college has considered before – and turned down.
The good news, though, is on the whole, the number of doctors Saskatchewan is recruiting and keeping in the province is up 17 per cent since 2007.
“So we’re having a lot of success. And I would argue that not many of those are from the bursary program,” said Jarrod Jeanson of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.
Most people are moving here from places like India, Iraq, Iran, and Nigeria. They are filling vacancies in rural areas of the province.
“It’s not always the money that’s going draw people here. It’s the lifestyle, and opportunity and great place to raise your family,” said Jeanson.
That’s the exact reason Dr. Akinloye isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“Moving is not in my cards, because my family is happy. If they were not, we wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Akinloye.
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