He is joined by deans and vice-deans of post-secondary institutions from the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

They will provide recommendations on the certifications required for nurses from that country to practice in Saskatchewan.

Paul Merriman will meet with Philippine government officials and potential collaborators.

The province is banking on hiring nurses earlier than doctors, the health minister said, believing labor shortages in this field are more acute, especially in rural areas.

The Department of Health has introduced bonuses of up to $50,000 to encourage Filipino nurses to relocate to rural Saskatchewan. These healthcare professionals are also entitled to financial benefits for education and travel expenses.

The Saskatchewan government also hopes to hire laboratory and radiology technicians. He plans to bring 30 international health workers back to Saskatchewan each month to avoid putting more pressure on the health system.

Paul Merriman adds that his department is also working with the Saskatchewan Filipino community to ease the transition for these new health workers.

Forgotten health care workers in Saskatchewan, says NDP

The leader of the opposition party, Carla Beck, complained about the high overload in the health care system during the legislative period on Thursday, especially with the waiting times in the intensive care units.

” We call for a targeted plan to alleviate the crisis in our intensive care units and provident funds. So far we’ve only heard excuses. »

For his part, Paul Merriman said that hiring Filipino nurses would take some of the pressure off the healthcare system. He added that more than 70 of them are already willing to work in Saskatchewan and some have already landed in the province.

They will be practicing in Saskatchewan as early as 2023.

With information from Laura Sciarpelletti