The Saskatchewan Medical Association will be meeting with doctors from northern Saskatchewan on Tuesday night.

The SMA president will be hosting a virtual meeting with physicians from the Mamawetan-Churchill River-Keewatin Yatthe Regional Medical Association to discuss areas of concern for the region.

The SMA leadership conducts these meetings every year in regions across the province.

“I always looked forward to the President and Vice-President’s Tour stop in my community,” said Dr. Strydom, a Melfort family physician and president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. “Now, I have an opportunity to hear from physicians across the province about the issues that matter to them.”

Dr. Strydom expects issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic to be at the forefront of discussions. He expects conversations to include monitoring case numbers and hospitalizations as children have returned to schools, urging public health measures and vaccinations, and evaluating the effectiveness of virtual care.

Another topic of discussion that may arise is the organization’s commitment to addressing racism within the health system.

“Physicians must acknowledge Canada’s colonial past while creating a better health system for all,” said Dr. John Gjevre, SMA Vice-President. “I am particularly interested in hearing ideas from physicians on how the EDI committee can be a force for positive change.”

The SMA Board of Directors formed the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to address these areas.

The meetings are closed to the public.