THE doctor shortage in rural Victoria, including Ararat, is ongoing but Ararat Medical Centre recently welcomed four new doctors to its practice.
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Like many rural towns, Ararat has struggled to attract long term medical staff to its facilities, and every single new doctor at the clinic said the first question patients asked them was 'how long are you going to stay here?'
Currently there are 36 general practitioner vacancies in western Victoria, and 56 total medical vacancies.
This is the second highest vacancy rate in the state.
The Murray region has the highest number.
The region extends from the western border north of Warracknabeal all the way east past Albury, with a total of 74 medical vacancies.
The Australian Medical Association Council of Rural Doctors chair Dr Sandra Hirowatari previously described a lack of access to 'quality facilities, services and doctors a key barrier to improving the health and well-being of rural communities.'
The 2019-20 federal budget reduced the number of overseas-trained doctors - which all of Ararat's new doctors are - by 155 for a saving of almost $300 million over four years.
However, there are programs in place nationally to help address the shortage, such as the Rural Workforce More Doctors for Rural Australia Program launched in April of 2019, which is part of the federal government's Stronger Rural Health strategy.
Here's what the newest doctors in Ararat had to say:
Dr Tanzeel Shah
Dr Shah began in March and said he wants to stay in Ararat.
"I came from Sydney - it's a big move," he said.
Dr Shah completed his training in Pakistan before moving to Sydney and then to Ararat.
He said at first he pictured a tiny isolated town but when he arrived found he liked Ararat, especially in contrast to a big city like Sydney.
"When I'd move from one suburb to another it would take an hour," he said.
"But here, in one hour you can go to Ballarat, two hours Melbourne. It's more relaxed, calm and life is more smooth.
"In cities it's like everyone is running. People here are nice and very friendly - that's what I've observed so far."
Dr Shah's interest is in general medicine.
Dr Saif Abdul Rahman
Dr Rahman began in February and works a couple of days a week at Ararat Hospital in anesthetics, patient, urgent care, and obstetrics.
"Originally I'm from Iraq, and I graduated in 2004," he said.
"After that I worked for the military forces for a couple of years between Iraq and Jordan, and after that I migrated to Australia with my wife.
"I mainly trained as an emergency doctor ... and trained in anesthesia in Bendigo as well and reinforced those skills in Ballarat.
"I've also worked as a GP for a few years and overseas in a refugee camp in Jordan.
"I started my first job in Ballarat in 2009. After that I moved to Bendigo and worked for a few years there - me and my wife who was doing dentistry at La Trobe University.
"After that we moved to Colac and I worked as a GP in Colac for nearly four years."
Eventually they moved to Ararat.
"My wife is working across the road in the community dental clinic. They were struggling to find a dentist so we came as a package," he said.
Dr Rahman said he and his wife preferred rural life.
"We don't think about the rural area as a disadvantage - it's the other way around," he said.
"There is a more easy and relaxing lifestyle without that rushing around."
Dr Rahman also said he enjoyed helping at the hospital.
"You can see the smile on people's face when I say all their procedures can be done here and they don't need to travel to Melbourne or Ballarat," he said.
Dr Majid Sharifian and Dr Mana Nasseri Akbar
Dr Sharifian and Dr Akbar are a husband and wife team as well as the practice's most recent recruits.
Although Dr Sharifian has been practicing in Australia for the past 13 years, the pair moved to Ararat so Dr Akbar could complete her required graduate training.
So far they were have been enjoying life in Ararat.
"I have been working in different practices for the last 13 years in Australia and this is one of the best ones in terms of organisation," Dr Sharifian said.
"Because it's a training centre you have students, interns, and registrars.
"A training centre is always good for patients because it's scientifically active. You have to be fresh and up to date if you're dealing with students and registrars. It's a good thing."
Dr Sharifian covers several areas of expertise, including chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis and asthma.
"General practice is a vast domain and I do a bit of everything," he said.
He will also begin practicing in the hospital soon.
Dr Akbar said she found being able to help rural patients rewarding.
Originally she had intended to start her career in the United States but then she met Dr Sharifian, who was already working in Australia.
"I started my job here last month," she said.
"I am enjoying the environment and I enjoy living in a rural area.
"I'm happy to be here helping people and I'm enjoying their company."
A lot of her patients all had the same question for Dr Akbar though.
"Ninety per cent of patients, when they come inside my room, ask me how long I want to stay here," she said.
"They're always happy when I tell them we will stay for a while."
Dr Akbar said her interests were general medicine and women's health.
"The practice is so supportive and helpful and I'm really enjoying it. All the other doctors here help me a lot."
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