2 Celebrating Allied Health Professionals
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024
A lot of hard work is going to go into making the system better. We want to ensure health care is better for generations to come.
— Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health
The province has hired 873 new health care workers during the past year including 304 nurses, 290 health care aides, 116 physicians and 80 Allied Health professionals, says provincial Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
An exciting calling MINISTER SAYS THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO GET INVOLVED IN HEALTHCARE FIELD
By Todd Lewys I t’s been just over a year since the NDP swept to power in Manitoba. During their campaign in the summer of 2023 – on Aug. 27, to be exact – then leader Wab Kinew said if elected, the NDP would commit $500 million to hiring 300 nurses in two years, and 400 physicians in five years. It was a big promise. Fast forward a little more than a year, and Premier Kinew and his team are backing up their words with action. According to the government, 116 new physicians were hired between April 1 and Aug. 31. Meanwhile, some 304 nurses were also added. Premier Kinew also committed to hiring more paramedics and home care staff. As positive as those actions and commitments were, they overshadowed another sore spot in Man- itoba’s health care system: a province-wide person- nel shortage. To date, there are countless job openings in po- sitions from technicians to diagnostics, to rehabili- tation and nutrition, and more. Those positions and many others provide physicians and nurses with the information and support they require to provide the highest possible level of health care on a daily ba- sis. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says there’s some good news on that front, too. “Since our time in government, we’ve hired 873 new health care workers,” says the minister, a for- mer psychiatric nurse. “That includes 304 nurses,
290 health care aides, 116 physicians and 80 Allied Health professionals. That includes lab technicians, ultrasound technologists, MRI technologists and more – as well as 61 medical residents.” While those figures are impressive, there’s still a lot of work to be done to bring Manitoba’s health- care system up to full speed. Currently, there are still hundreds of job postings in Winnipeg and outlying communities that need to be filled. That means there are opportunities to find good paying, interesting work in the healthcare field – and a chance to make a difference. “There are so many different jobs and opportuni- ties. Since becoming health minister, I’ve learned a ton about the jobs and roles that exist in our health- care system,” says Asagwara. Turns out, job opportunities can start surprisingly early. “Job opportunities can start as young as high school,” they said. “In just a few months, you can be out working and making a difference. There’s ba- sically an opportunity for anybody. If it’s what you want to be involved, there’s a path for you to join the healthcare system.” To assist people, the government is also making training more accessible throughout the province, adds Asagwara. “There are so many opportunities to get more education. Now, people can train right in their com- munity to get the skills they need to find a job in healthcare.” Not only that, but there’s a wide range of jobs to apply for. “There’s so much variety,” notes Asagwara. “It’s
an exciting calling for people to choose. There’s a great opportunity to make the lives of Manitoba bet- ter each and every day.” That said, it’s going to take time to get Manitoba’s healthcare system running at full capacity again. “Now is the time to get involved. The government is working hard. We didn’t get where we are over- night, but we’re making progress. We’re doing it in a collaborative way, shoulder-to-shoulder with those on the front line.” For the system to become fully revitalized, every- one is going to have to pitch in. “The important thing is we do it together,” Asag- wara says. “A lot of hard work is going to go into making the system better. We want to ensure health care is better for generations to come.” To that end, the government is going to do all it can to guide people down the path to a fulfilling job in healthcare. “We’re meeting people where they’re at,” they said. “As a government, we respect people and listen. We’re focused on creating a culture of listening and inclusivity. We’re working hard to change the culture of the healthcare system.” They add that if you’re considering a career in healthcare, now is the time to get involved. “It’s an exciting time in Manitoba,” says Asagwara. “Of course I’m biased, having worked as a front- line nurse, but working in healthcare gives you the opportunity to make the lives of Manitobans better every day. We’ll welcome you with open arms if you want to get involved. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to make the system better. We’re committed to doing the work, and we’re all going to make it better working together.”
Visit healthcareersmanitoba.ca to check out all the different opportunities in healthcare that are available around the province.
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