A DOCTOR who has dedicated a significant amount of time to helping a small community is being recognised this week as he reaches a significant milestone.
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Dr Ashraf Labib will this week celebrate 10 years working as a general practitioner at the Trangie Family Medical Service, a vital health resource that serves not only Trangie but also the smaller communities surrounding the town.
Dr Labib is one of three doctors who are alumni of the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) to be recognised for their continuity of service in rural and remote communities at a special event in Sydney this Saturday.
"We are delighted to be able to recognise the contribution that Dr Labib has made and continues to make to his community at this year's Alumni Weekend," RVTS chief executive officer Dr Patrick Giddings said.
"The RVTS Alumni Program provides our alumni with access to ongoing specialist GP training and opportunities to further develop their clinical skills, all of which benefit the communities they serve."
Funded by the federal government Department of Health, RVTS delivers vocational training for medical practitioners in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and remote and isolated communities throughout Australia.
Rural health workforce retention remains an ongoing issue in Australia and a focus of public policy.
With close to seven million Australians - or one-third of the population - living in rural, regional and remote areas, the demand for highly-skilled GPs who are able to commit to their communities for the long-term is essential.
"The doctors who train with us are often sole practitioners in small communities who are unable to easily leave their practices for any length of time to undertake training in larger centres," Dr Giddings said.
"Our unique model of training enables them to train while remaining in their practices.
"We deliver training through intensive workshops, online resources, teleconferences, regular interaction with experts in the field and practical workshops. Our model of training continues to make a significant contribution to rural health workforce retention and is valued by both the doctors and communities it serves.
"Dr Labib is a wonderful example of how, with an innovative and practical approach to medical vocational training, rural and remote communities can attract and retain highly skilled health professionals."
RVTS has specialised in general practice training for more than 16 years and in that time, has trained 230 doctors who have delivered primary health care in more than 180 rural and remote communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
