Sunshine Coast Daily reports that Australian MP Bob Katter feels getting overseas-trained doctors to rural Australia hasn’t solved the shortage issue.
He feels that having overseas trained doctors in rural areas is infact bad for the region because they have "language and cultural problems".
In media release issued this morning, the Kennedy MP says the health department supported his view that "visa doctors" made the nation's medico shortage even worse than it is.
The Federal Government has struggled to get Australian medical graduates and seasoned professionals to swap big city lifestyles for rural and regional areas.
Overseas trained doctors are often more willing to take on bush practices, the report states.
"I'm not against foreign doctors," Mr Katter said.
"I've personally had my life saved twice by foreign doctors, whilst many would have rejoiced in their failure; the fact is I'm still here because of these doctors.
"But a lot of foreign doctors struggle with language, a lot struggle with cultural problems.
"These are very real issues and it's not just me saying it, it's the AMA and our own health department."
SBS Hindi reported earlier that Australia’s Department of Health wants the Federal Government to remove medical occupations from the Skilled Occupation List.
However, this development is not based on the reasons cited by MP Katter. The department said its decision was based on the fact that number of local medical graduates was increasing and they could easily fill vacancies, especially in regional areas.
"As the number of Australian-trained doctors has increased substantially over the past decade, it's timely to consider whether existing immigration markers are still appropriate for our health workforce needs," the department told the ABC.
"The Department's submission on the skills list reflects that position."
