The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada's far east, Andrew Furey, said his government is working to reduce requirements for internationally trained doctors.

Furey's remarks come amid his liberal government's efforts to help Ukrainian health professionals obtain the licenses that allow them to practice their professions.

Furey spoke to reporters on Monday after a meeting with several federal ministers and the premiers of the four Atlantic provinces in St. John's, the capital of his province.

The meeting focused on Atlantic provinces' affairs, but journalists' questions quickly centered on the shortage of doctors that these provinces suffer from.

Furey confirmed that there is "no quick fix," but he added that he and his counterparts agree that it should be easier for internationally trained doctors, especially family doctors, to practice in the Atlantic provinces.

Furey pointed out that while the health system suffers from a shortage of doctors, internationally trained doctors strive to get their credentials recognized.

Furey's government is providing forms of assistance to help Ukrainian health specialists more easily obtain the licenses they need to practice their professions in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador has recently been in the spotlight regarding receiving Ukrainians fleeing the Russian military invasion of their country, and its government has chartered two flights to transport Ukrainian refugees from Poland.

But just over a week ago, Marina Sikorska, a Ukrainian doctor who arrived in St. John's on June 14 with her husband and three children, said she feels frustrated by the lack of assistance provided by the Newfoundland and Labrador government to facilitate obtaining her medical license.

She added that she knows four other doctors and a nurse who moved from Ukraine to Newfoundland and Labrador and also feel frustrated by the lack of communication from the provincial government.

Solutions proposed by the Minister of Health

The Minister of Health and Community Services in the Newfoundland and Labrador government, Tom Osborne, said yesterday that he met with 11 recently arrived Ukrainian health specialists in the province and listened to their concerns.

Osborne added in a press interview that the provincial government agreed to cover the costs of obtaining their professional licenses and that his ministry will appoint someone to help them through the stages of this process.

The provincial authorities will also provide English courses for Ukrainian health-trained individuals and ensure they join the provincial health system.

They will also provide financial assistance while they go through the stages of obtaining their work permits.

However, Minister Osborne indicated that the jobs they will get will likely be different from those they can fill in Ukraine.

Obtaining a work permit is a complicated process, according to Minister Osborne, because it is subject to conditions at the federal level and the provincial level, in addition to language requirements.

Explaining, "We do not want to lower standards, but we want to lower barriers."