The Mayor of Steinbach, Earl Funk, is hopeful that the Province will work with communities outside of Winnipeg in an effort to address the ongoing challenge of doctor recruitment and retention.
Funk says the Steinbach Doctor Recruitment Task Force is pushing forward with an initiative aimed at securing the community’s healthcare future.
The task force, established by the Steinbach City Council in March 2024, has been working on strategies to combat the shortage of primary care physicians in the area. A report presented by Michelle Bezditny, Chair of the Physician Recruitment & Retention Task Force, in July revealed that nearly 4,000 citizens in Steinbach were without a primary care provider, with an additional 442 residents seeking care closer to home. The report also highlighted Steinbach’s significant population growth, which has added to the strain on local healthcare services.
Advocating for Medical Student Seats
A key recommendation from the task force has been to advocate for designated medical school seats for students from the Steinbach area. The idea behind this is simple: local students who study medicine are more likely to return to their communities to practice, says Funk, adding that this approach is gaining support from other communities in Manitoba.
“We’ve already begun advocating at the provincial level for designated spots for Steinbach students in medical faculties,” Funk says. “When a student is raised in a community, they are more likely to come back and practice there, especially if they have family support in the area.”
Funk also revealed that the proposal has gained traction beyond Steinbach. During a recent City caucus meeting in Thompson, mayors from across Manitoba expressed their support for this initiative.
“I think this approach will give us a lot of traction,” Funk explains. “Representing 62% of the provincial population, the urban centers have a strong voice, and we’re committed to keeping healthcare a top priority.”
Creating a Family-Friendly Environment
In addition to advocating for medical student seats, the task force is working to improve Steinbach’s appeal to potential doctors by highlighting the community’s family-friendly atmosphere. Funk emphasizes that when considering where to practice, doctors often look for places where their families can thrive.
“We want Steinbach to be seen as a progressive, diverse community with strong amenities. Doctors want to know that their spouses and children will have things to do and opportunities to grow. We have great schools, activities for kids, and a welcoming environment for families,” says Funk. “Our hope is that when doctors visit Steinbach, they’ll see it as a place where they can build their careers and raise their families.”
Collaborative Efforts and Next Steps
The task force is working closely with other municipalities to further the discussion on doctor recruitment. Funk mentions that mayors from Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, and other urban centers are all on board with the initiative to secure medical school seats for their regions.
The group plans to continue pushing for the proposal during the upcoming AMM (Association of Manitoba Municipalities) Convention this week.
“Although healthcare is not our mandate, healthcare is very important in our communities and we need to advocate for our people.,” Funk says.
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