Launched in 2011, the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment program has aimed to encourage more physicians from outside of Canada to come to the province to start a practice. The program sees internationally educated physicians assessed on their medical training as well as their clinical ability as part of the process to get their license to practice medicine in Saskatchewan. In return, the physicians agree to work in the province for at least three years after completing the program.  

This past June 16 physicians completed the program and started practice throughout Saskatchewan. One of those physicians is coming to Weyburn – Dr. Soolmaz Ghahramani, one of two doctors coming to the southeast, with Dr. Azadeh Bordbar going to Oxbow.  

"We are very happy to welcome these new doctors and their families to Saskatchewan," Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said in a written statement Thursday morning.  

In addition to the SIPPA program, the province has launched a number of initiatives in recent years to try to attract and retain doctors in Saskatchewan, particularly in rural locations. They include the Rural Physician Incentive Program, which offers $200,000 to physicians, including those who have gone through the SIPPA program. Additionally, eight more medical residency seats have been added at the University of Saskatchewan, and post-graduate medical residency training sites have been expanded to include locations outside of Regina and Saskatoon.  

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