If you’ve been following along, today will now be day number four in
what I am calling, “20 for 2020”.
Each day is another idea that I believe those who wish to govern us in
BC, should commit to doing.
None of these ideas have been radical (at least to me) … in fact I think
most would find it hard to argue they are little more than the basics of
good government, and ensuring the well-being of the citizens of our province.
Today's idea fits well with the concept of our well-being, and it has to
do with our health.
While there have been multiple attempts to retain and keep medical
practitioners in some of the more rural areas of the province – a permanent fix
to the problem needs to be worked out.
That fix should begin by reviewing all possible options to train, and
retain, doctors to take up practice in the rural communities where they have
grown up. Talk with young people and ask
them what they will need to stay … and talk with those still in those areas and
communities to see what’s kept them where they are.
For example, some communities have offered free or reduced costs for
housing; make this something throughout all areas needing assistance in getting
medical care practitioners. Other
incentives could include 2 or 3 weekends away annually, to attend events such
as concerts, the theatre, major league sports, and the like.
Here’s the big one however …
According to an April
2018 Globe and Mail story … medical school tuition fees range from $7,000
to $27,000 annually in Canada, plus living expenses. Medical students graduate
with more than $100,000 in debt on average; $250,000 in debt is not unusual and
it often grows during residency.
Have medical practitioners commit to a minimum stay of 5 years in a
community where doctors are badly needed, and in exchange have the costs of
their education paid off by 10 percent each year.
Those living and working in a community
for five to ten years will likely have put down strong roots in the community, and
will therefore be more inclined to stay.
These are just a few suggestions, and I am sure many others could be explored,
however there needs to be a long-term commitment by government, to ensure medical services
are available to people where they live.
And with that, day four of “20 to 2020” comes to a close. As I
mentioned yesterday, if
you have an idea to contribute, let me know, and I’ll see if I can work it in. If you’ve missed any of the first three,
click the following links to check them out:
#3 … there
should be a full review of all license costs and fees,
which the provincial government has imposed upon us, to see where and how they
are being used
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