The Canadian government could end the shortage of doctors and nurses in the country by making it easier for health care practitioners who immigrate to get their qualifications here, Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP Marc Dalton said in Parliament recently.

Dalton said six million Canadians don91裸聊视频檛 have a family doctor, and many more are forced into long waits, 91裸聊视频渟ometimes years,91裸聊视频� for health care, because of staffing shortages.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 have enough doctors, we don91裸聊视频檛 have enough nurses. It doesn91裸聊视频檛 have to be this way,91裸聊视频� he said.

In the House of Commons he referred to 20,000 immigrant doctors and 30,000 nurses who are not able to practise due to the 91裸聊视频渕aze of regulations.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭he human anatomy is the same across the world,91裸聊视频� he noted.

Dalton told The News he raised the issue after meeting an abdominal surgeon from Ukraine who could not get his qualifications recognized in Canada, and is instead starting his own business.

The doctor he referred to is Maple Ridge resident Bill Jakobs. The former surgeon told The News it would take about six years for him to become a doctor in Canada, despite his schooling and past experience. The schooling he needs would have been costly, as well as time consuming, and as the primary breadwinner for his family, Jakobs was forced to move in another direction.

He had volunteered as a doctor with the UN, working with patients with AIDS and drug addiction. He has expertise in logistics and the global supply chain, and is now setting up a business that uses those skills.

Jakobs sees an ailing health care system in Canada. He now has experience as a patient needing health care, and being put on a waiting list.

91裸聊视频淚t can be hard to get to a doctor, or a specialist surgeon 91裸聊视频� it takes forever.91裸聊视频�

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Jakobs91裸聊视频� father was a surgeon. His 16-year-old son is considering medicine, potentially following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, but Jakobs said it is a difficult decision, because of the time and expense to become a doctor, and lack of work-life balance for physicians.

91裸聊视频淚 heard a lot of discouragement, talking to professionals here,91裸聊视频� he said.

Dalton said the Conservative opposition proposes a national blue seal testing centre, where professionals immigrating could get an examination, and they would know within 60 days whether or not they can work in Canada.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a big deal 91裸聊视频� it impacts everyone,91裸聊视频� Dalton said. 91裸聊视频淚mmigrant doctors and nurses could really fill a big gap.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭he regulatory requirements and red tape is so big, so cumbersome, that it91裸聊视频檚 a tremendous challenge,91裸聊视频� said Dalton. 91裸聊视频淐anadians lose out, because we have a doctor and nurse shortage, and it91裸聊视频檚 a felt need.91裸聊视频�

The Doctors of BC, an association of physicians, residents and medical students, says it supports the proposal to bring in a new national standard for medical licensing, but it91裸聊视频檚 skeptical about the feasibility of the suggested strategy.

President Joshua Greggain says the organization is in full support of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre91裸聊视频檚 recent call to improve and speed up healthcare professionals91裸聊视频� integration around Canada.

91裸聊视频淣ational licensure and portability between provinces would be a really good thing to help the physician supply as well as the nurses,91裸聊视频� Greggain said.

For it to happen, he says it would take national collaboration, and that would not happen quickly enough to solve the current shortages.

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