Submitted by:
Prairie Mountain Health
Physician recruitment efforts continue within Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region. Collaborating with the Province, Shared Health and community partners, PMH continues to strategically enhance access to physician and primary care services within the Region. One of the initiatives the region utilizes as part of overall physician recruitment strategies includes the provincial Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG).
The MLPIMG Program assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical license to be able to practice as a family physician in Manitoba.
“During the past year, the region sponsored eight physicians to participate in the MLPIMG program” said Treena Slate, PMH CEO. “After much consideration, physicians that successfully graduated from the program were placed at various sites within PMH communities that require additional sufficient physician resources.”
The newly recruited physicians for communities are:
Swan River
• Dr. Uche Adediji
• Dr. Toyin Oluwatuyi
• Dr. Oghenekevwe Ekrebe (early September start)
Neepawa
• Dr. Louis Eleche
Roblin
• Dr. Anahita Yousefiadib
• Dr. Zoia Khattak
Virden
• Dr. Sylvia Oranika
Souris
• Dr. Rilwan Azeez for Souris (mid-September start)
In return for regional sponsorship, MLPIMG doctors agree to practice in their respective communities for four years.
The Program is supported by the University of Manitoba —Max Rady College of Medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Shared Health-Health Care Recruitment and Retention Office, and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.
“Retention and recruitment of staff, including doctors, is our top priority,” stated Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “I want to welcome and thank these new doctors for joining our incredible Manitoba workforce. I wish them well as they begin providing this essential care throughout Prairie Mountain Health”.
In 2024, five MLPIMG physicians were placed in the communities of Deloraine, Grandview, Russell, Ste. Rose andVirden. In 2023, MLPIMG physicians were placed in Glenboro, Hamiota, Russell, Swan River and Virden (2).
During the next rotation, which is already underway, PMH is sponsoring seven more MLPIMG physicians whocommenced their training program this past June. If successful, they will be able to commence practice within thehealth region next fall (2026).