FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - Newly hired physicians are set to begin practicing in Fort St. John and the North Peace region in the coming months.
The hirings are expected to provided a boost to local health care services and help address ongoing concerns about access to family doctors.
New doctors will be joining both the North Peace Primary Care Clinic and Fort St. John Family Practice Associates this fall.
At the North Peace Primary Care Clinic, Dr. Abdulraheen Abdulraheem is expected to begin practicing in early September, although an exact start date has not yet been confirmed.
The clinic is currently accepting new patients through the provincial Health Connect Registry or directly through the clinic.
Fort St. John Family Practice Associates will also welcome two new physicians in September.
Dr. Haroon Ahmed is scheduled to begin seeing patients on September 1, while Dr. Manrah Khangura is expected to start on September 8.
The clinic is currently accepting new patients and residents can register directly with the practice.
The physician recruitment effort extends beyond Fort St. John. In neighboring Hudson’s Hope, Dr. Atlin Braaten has already begun practicing at the community health centre, while Dr. Daniel Giterman is expected to join the ABC Clinic in October.
The additions come as many communities across Northern B.C. continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining family physicians.
Thousands of British Columbians remain unattached to a primary care provider, while existing clinics often operate with lengthy wait lists for new patients.
Health-care advocates have long said that increasing the number of family physicians is key to improving access to preventative care, reducing pressure on emergency departments and ensuring residents receive ongoing treatment for chronic health conditions.