Nova Scotia government signs agreements with universities to get doctors from Lebanon
The Nova Scotia government has signed agreements with two universities in Lebanon to bring family doctors to the province.
Premier Tim Houston announced today that a five-year memorandum of agreement with the Lebanese American University in Beirut commits the university to sending 10 ready-to-practise physicians to Nova Scotia.
Two doctors from the university are expected to arrive in Nova Scotia during each year of the agreement.
Get weekly health news
Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
The province plans to spend $5 million during the life of the agreement to cover the cost of medical school residency positions, as well as licensing exams and immigration and relocation expenses.
In return, the participating doctors will be required to sign an agreement that requires them to work in Nova Scotia for three years.
Meanwhile, the premier confirmed that two doctors from the other university — the American University of Beirut — are already practising in Nova Scotia and another two are on the way.
Story continues below advertisement
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
6 hours ago
- Global News
‘Our kids are already struggling': Relief after court pauses Alberta transgender care ban
The families of Alberta transgender youth are breathing a sigh of relief, for now, after a court ruling paused a provincial law banning doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth. The temporary injunction, handed down on Friday by Justice Allion Kuntz, ruled the law could 'cause irreparable harm to gender diverse youth,' and that it should be put on hold until the Charter questions it raises can be fully tested in court. It's a ruling that has lessened anxieties for Alberta mom Haley Ray, who says her child knew there was something different about them at just three years old. 2:02 Alberta government argues transgender youth health law in court 'What I learnt from having a kiddo that young is there is a knowing of self that we don't give credit to, and I think most adults don't begin to explore,' she told Global News. Story continues below advertisement Nine years later, Ray's transgender daughter is now at the age where she is using puberty blockers, something the UCP government's Bill 26 would outlaw. The law, which passed late last year but is not yet fully in effect, bans doctors from providing treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to those under 16. 'Our kids are already struggling day to day and made all of these spaces, and so when that was announced and these policy measures were announced and being prioritized by the government, it was blindsiding and it was like, how do we, what do we do with it?' Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In the Friday decision, Kuntz wrote that denying treatment risks causing youth emotional harm and exposing them to permanent physical changes that don't match their gender identity. 'The evidence shows that singling out health care for gender diverse youth and making it subject to government control will cause irreparable harm to gender diverse youth by reinforcing the discrimination and prejudice that they are already subjected to,' Kuntz wrote in the judgment. 'Intentionally or not, the ban will signal that there is something wrong with or suspect about having a gender identity that is different than the sex you were assigned at birth.' 1:36 Advocates report numerous trans youths denied gender-affirming care in central Alberta Alberta Premier Danielle Smith took aim at the ruling in her weekly radio show on Saturday, arguing the courts had gotten the matter wrong. Story continues below advertisement 'The court had said that they think that there will be irreparable harm if the law goes ahead. I feel the reverse,' Smith said. The Alberta Medical Association's pediatrics section says the effects of puberty blockers are not irreversible, and that puberty goes forward after treatment is stopped. Medical associations across the country have also come out against any government proposal to restrict access to evidence-based medical care, including for transgender people. Smith, meanwhile, has argued there is no consensus among the medical community about puberty blockers, citing a recent move by the U.K. NHS to limit their use. 'We actually think that we've got a very solid case, we think we've been measured,' Smith said on her radio show. 'I think we've been evidence-based and we think we're on the side of kids, so we want to see how long the process will play out but we think it's really important for these issues to be debated in court.' 2:05 Albertans rally in support of trans rights at the legislature Sunday Transgender activist Victoria Bucholtz told Global News the law, if it comes into effect, will have devastating effects for trans youth. Story continues below advertisement 'Everyone was surprised that they were wasting taxpayer dollars on persecuting a very small population that really needs support, instead of Danielle Smith barging into doctors' offices telling doctors what they're allowed to do,' Bucholtz said. 'Last I checked, she was a radio host, not a medical doctor.' Butcholtz added that the Alberta LGBTQ2 community won't back down, and has faith the courts will rule in their favour. 'We will be the ones that once again uphold human rights in this country because Alberta queers don't lose these fights,' Bucholtz said. The Alberta government is expected to appeal the ruling. — with files from the Canadian Press
Global News
10 hours ago
- Global News
‘Really saving lives': Call for blood donors ahead of busy summer season
Canadian Blood Services is asking people to think about rolling up their sleeves and sign up as a donor this summer, a time of year when the need for blood often surges. The organization says appointment bookings are falling short of hospital demand for both blood and plasma. Edmonton, for example, still has around 200 appointment slots open before July 1st. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It says half of Canadians are eligible to donate blood, but only about one in 76 actually do. All blood types are needed, but O-negative, O-positive and B-negative are extremely vital. 'Donating is such a meaningful experience,' Canadian Blood Services spokesperson Tianna Doyle said. 'You are really saving people's lives when you come out and spend that hour with us. The needle is only in your arm for five to 10 minutes, so it's a really small component of the actual appointment time.' Story continues below advertisement Canadian Blood Services is aiming for one million new donors over the next five years. To book an appointment, head to or call 1-888- 2-Donate.
Global News
13 hours ago
- Global News
Toronto Public Health seeks person who handled potentially rabid bat
Toronto Public Health is urging an unidentified person who handled a suspected rabies-infected bat in the Harbourfont area earlier this week to come forward for an urgent medical assessment. The health authority says the person encountered the bat outside a condo building on Harbour Street, just west of Bay Street, around 9:24 a.m. on Wednesday. The animal later exhibited symptoms of rabies. The unidentified person is described as around 5'8'' tall with a beard. At the time they were wearing eyeglasses, a black t-shirt, black pants and white sneakers, and holding a black water bottle. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy TPH is encouraging the person who handled the bat, or anyone who may know who they are, to contact health officials at 416-338-7600 during regular business hours or call 311 (or 416-392-2489 if outside of Toronto) and ask to speak to the Healthy Environments manager. Story continues below advertisement Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system in mammals, including humans. It spreads through the saliva of an infected animal and is usually transmitted through a bite or sometimes a scratch. Infections are almost always fatal unless they are treated before symptoms emerge. While it is rare to be exposed to rabies in the city, residents are encouraged to stay away from wild animals, ensure pets are up to date on their vaccinations and to supervise pets when they are in public spaces.
