Sylvan Lake’s physician shortage is expected to ease with the arrival of up to four new doctors.
Two have arrived and another two are expected to move to the community in the next two months as they complete their licensing requirements, said Onsy Tawadrous, chair of the Sylvan Lake Health Professional Attraction Committee.
Just before Christmas, Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced the arrival of Dr. Abigail Garba, who specializes in basic obstetric care. Garba is working out of Sylvan Lake Family Health Centre, Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service and Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and will be accepting new patients.
Another family physician, Dr. Charnette Swanepoel, arrived in July and began taking patients.
AHS said that with the addition of Garba the community now has 20 doctors.
Tawadrous said having doctors available to take on new patients is welcome news for local residents.
“We haven’t seen any clinics taking new patients, I would say, for two years. But they are starting to take patients now, so that’s a good sign.
“I think things are improving a little bit, slowly.”
That was among the issues that prompted the town to set up the health professional attraction committee in late 2022.
The committee has been active in raising the community’s health concerns with government and health officials. That includes pressing officials on addressing the doctor shortages at the urgent care centre so it can operate as intended from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Tawadrous said the committee cannot take credit for the influx of new doctors but he believed its persistent lobbying played a role. The committee also offers support for new doctors to help them get established in their new home community.
The additional help is also expected to help fill shifts at the AHS-run Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Services, the local health facility that has had to frequently shorten its operating hours, most recently on Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, because a doctor has not been available.
The facility offers diagnosis and treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions such as minor cuts or burns, muscle and joint strains, bone fractures and fever in young children.
“We expect with the new doctors that will be coming to town it will help with the situation,” said Tawadrous.