Manitoba gains doctors for third straight year, but loses at pandemic-level rate: report
Manitoba is adding doctors at a record clip — but it’s also losing them at a rate not seen since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, a physicians advocacy organization cautioned Wednesday.
Manitoba has added doctors at a record rate over the past year, but is losing them at a rate not seen since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, warns a physicians advocacy group. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba reported 3,694 registered doctors as of April 30, a net gain of 196 compared to the previous year, the highest increase since 2008.
This includes 1,792 family physicians, 1,823 specialists and 79 residents with a full range of practice. However, 158 physicians left the province in the latest fiscal year, up from 161 in the previous period and a record high of 165 in 2022-23. Dr. Alon Altman, president of Doctors Manitoba, stated that while the growth is positive for patients, retaining doctors is equally important.
The region of western Manitoba saw a decline in physician numbers, dropping from 248 to 240, while family physicians saw a 15% increase over the past two years. The shortage remains serious in some specialties, with family doctors growing faster than other specialists.
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