March 22, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Bursaries for MUN medical graduates

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today that $300,000 will be allocated as bursaries for Canadian medical students at Memorial University and graduates enrolled in residency training elsewhere in Canada. The minister said this initiative is part of the department's human resource planning process and is fulfilling government's commitment to ensure there is an adequate supply of health care professionals throughout the province. Medical graduates have the opportunity to receive a practice incentive grant in return for serving in an area of need in the province.

"We are starting a process to address current and emerging areas of need in the province and planning for future shifts in response to such impacts as demographic trends," said the minister. "This initiative will be built on a foundation of interdisciplinary and evidence-based planning and will complement the other efforts of our Provincial Recruitment and Retention Committee."

The minister said a stable and qualified workforce is essential for the delivery of programs and services in our health and community services system. She added that the department would be establishing a Provincial Human Resource Steering Committee which will focus on recognized needs including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and other specialty areas.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

1999 03 22