The health clinic in Radville is looking forward to a few new faces joining the staff.

Dr. Ali Al-Khafaji has arrived in Radville and is currently working at the Radville Marian Health Centre, and Dr. Helen Mbata will also be a new face when she joins the clinic team in August.

Another doctor could also appear in January, pending the candidate is successful in their Saskatchewan physician assessment process.

With the departures of Dr. Nellie Helms at the end of the month and Dr. Werner Oberholzer earlier this year, CEO of Sun Country Health Region, Marga Cugnet, said in a media release that the transition has hit a few setbacks.

“Unfortunately, one of the doctors slated to arrive in September was unsuccessful in the Saskatchewan physician assessment process (SIPPA). The Region is interviewing another doctor to enter the SIPPA process in September, and will arrive in Radville in January if (s)he is successful,” she wrote.

Cugnet said the clinic provides an environment for doctors who want to practice medicine on a contract basis and who are not interested in operating their own business.

The health region is working with surrounding communities to ensure there is no disruption of services with the departures of Dr. Oberholzer and Dr. Helms.

The release also said, that as the transition takes place, the clinic will continue to provide care from other health care providers. These include a nurse practitioner, community pharmacist, and visiting professionals such as mental health staff, physical and occupational therapists, and local home care staff. 

Cugnet said the first goal is to continue to provide access to the patients, clients and residents of the Radville Marian Health Centre.

Discover Weyburn contacted Dr. Helms about the transition, but she was unavailable for comment. Discover Weyburn also contacted the health region, however Cugnet was also unavailable to speak.