{
  "id": 6502295,
  "title": "Manitoba gains doctors for third straight year, but loses at pandemic-level rate: report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/manitoba-gains-doctors-for-third-straight-year-but-loses-at-pandemic",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-10T00:03:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/09/09/manitoba-gains-doctors-for-third-straight-year-but-loses-at-pandemic-level-rate-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Manitoba added 196 doctors in 2023, highest since 2008",
    "158 physicians left the province, record high of 165 in 2022-23",
    "Family physicians grew 15% over two years, shortage persists in some specialties"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Manitoba's record gain in doctors is overshadowed by a pandemic-level loss of physicians, highlighting the challenge of retaining them, particularly in western Manitoba and certain specialties.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}