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MEDICAL RESIDENTS GET BREAK ON STUDENT LOANS REPAYMENT

Released on July 7, 2010

Another Step Forward for Physician Recruitment and Retention

Health Minister Don McMorris today announced approximately $450,000 in short-term funding to help medical residents with their student loans. Funding comes from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration; and the Saskatchewan Medical Association.

The province's funding covers interest on student loans for medical residents over an eighteen month period, while government looks into longer-term strategies to ensure medical residents are assisted while completing their residencies.

"Keeping Saskatchewan-trained medical residents working in the province is a top priority of this government," McMorris said. "As part of our ongoing retention and recruitment efforts, we are pleased to assist medical residents during their residencies. We can be proud that Saskatchewan is leading the way among the provinces by offering this short-term funding."

"Our top priority is Saskatchewan's post-secondary students," Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Rob Norris said. "I'm pleased that we have been able to develop a solution to meet the Federal legislative requirements of the student loan program while supporting Saskatchewan's objectives regarding the recruitment and retention of physicians."

"Postponing repayment will allow residents to continue to lay down roots in the province that they will hopefully one day practise within," Vice President of the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Saskatchewan Sue Sidhu said. "We are all extremely grateful that the province has taken action so quickly."

Health and Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration will partner with the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) who will administer the short-term funding and will work with the ministries to find a longer-term solution.

"The SMA is very pleased to partner with the provincial government and take the appropriate action to ensure that medical residents are provided interest assistance on their loans before the end of their residencies," SMA President Dr. Guruswamy Sridhar said. "We must retain and grow our Saskatchewan-trained medical students within the province, and this action demonstrates to medical students the commitment of the SMA and government to keep them here."

Introduced in 2009, the government's physician strategy aims to increase the number of University of Saskatchewan medical graduates establishing practice in Saskatchewan by 10 per cent over four years.

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For more information, contact:

Michelle Schmalenberg
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment & Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170

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