Skilled Doctor Unable to Practice as Hundreds of Women Wait for Care

Despite having nearly a decade of experience as a gynaecologist and obstetrician, Fernanda Marano is currently working as a cleaner in Napier, New Zealand. This is a stark contrast to her dream of helping women in the region who are waiting for specialist care.

Marano, who moved from Brazil in 2018, is one of many overseas-trained doctors struggling to navigate the complex and costly path to recognition of their qualifications in New Zealand. As of July, over 880 women in Hawke’s Bay are waiting for a first specialist appointment, with no immediate relief in sight.

“I want to give back to the community but I just can’t,” Marano said. “I’ve seen so many women here desperate for help with gynaecological issues. Friends, friends of friends, clients ... and I can only offer advice.”

The Health NZ director for Hawke’s Bay, Rika Hentschel, said the waitlist has slightly decreased but acknowledged that more needs to be done to improve access to care. “We are recruiting for an extra senior medical officer to join our gynaecology team at Hawke’s Bay,” she said. “We are working hard to improve wait times for patients.”

Marano, however, believes that the system is in urgent need of reform. “I know I could help alleviate the wait times in the system,” she said. “But the process is expensive, uncertain, and has no guarantee of success.”

According to the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), the process for overseas-trained doctors includes multiple exams, credential verification, and language tests. The total cost for this process could exceed $20,000, with no visa pathways to support those going through it.

Augustina Montes, another overseas-trained doctor who recently became registered in New Zealand, shared a similar struggle. “I tried studying while on my work visa, working fulltime as a support worker. I found it impossible,” she said. “Once my residency visa came through, I passed both exams within two years.”

Montes estimated she spent around $10,000 on the process, not including travel, accommodation, and translation of documents. “The hardest thing is not the exams themselves, but the fact that there is no immigration path for us, or enough guidance,” she said.

Health Minister Simeon Brown has acknowledged the challenges faced by overseas-trained doctors and announced a new two-year training programme to support up to 100 additional overseas-trained doctors to receive their New Zealand registration. “We are committed to growing the frontline healthcare workforce and making the process easier for overseas-trained doctors,” Brown said.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Dr. Rachelle Love, chair of MCNZ, said that retention of overseas-trained doctors is a concern, with many leaving within two years. “We are calling for stronger support systems, like mentoring, settlement help for families, and comprehensive feedback on why doctors choose to leave,” she said.

With more than 70% of New Zealand’s medical workforce trained overseas, the country is missing an opportunity to fully utilise the skills of these professionals. As Marano and others like her continue to face barriers, the urgent need for reform becomes even more apparent.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 880 women are waiting for specialist gynaecological care in Hawke’s Bay.
• Overseas-trained doctors face long, costly, and uncertain pathways to recognition in New Zealand.
• Reforms, such as visa pathways and support systems, are being considered to help overseas-trained doctors practice in New Zealand.