Foreign doctors who could help ease a critical shortage in Alberta are being kept out of the province by tough licensing standards as well as training and support limitations.

Although the number of foreign-trained doctors allowed to practise in Alberta has jumped in recent years, the province is still desperate for medical help.

The Alberta Medical Association estimates the province needs 1,000 additional doctors.

"We've definitely seen an improvement. But it doesn't come close to meeting the needs for new doctors in the province," Howard Wright, co-ordinator for the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program, tells the Herald's Eva Ferguson.

Mini George, 43, a doctor from India now living in Calgary, said universities need more residency spots to train international medical grads.

Photograph by : Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald

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