New Zealand relies heavily on skilled migrant doctors who form a significant part of the healthcare system in the country. In recent years, the demand for doctors has only increased to cope with growing healthcare needs.
As per data from the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), India has provided a steady flow of doctors over the years. Based on registrations issued by the country of qualification, government records show up to 45 Indian doctors have been registered annually since 2017.
Joan Simeon, Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Council of New Zealand, told The Indian Weekender, “Based on our data on the country where a doctor has trained, as we don’t record the ethnicity of doctors at the time they register, the number of new doctors from India has remained steady over the last five years. Of the 19,546 doctors on the medical register with a current practising certificate, 1,189 self-identified their ethnicity as Indian.”
That means about six per cent of the total doctors in the country are of Indian ethnicity. Indian doctors have significantly contributed to the country's healthcare system, particularly in areas with shortage of medical professionals. These doctors have also helped provide culturally sensitive care to Indian patients and other patients from South Asian communities.
As per MCNZ’s most recent workforce report, The New Zealand Medical Workforce in 2022, Other European (19.2%) is the second largest ethnic group after New Zealand European/Pakeha (45.7%), with Other non-European (11.8%) the third largest. This is followed by Chinese (6.6%), Indian (6.2%), Maori (4.6%) and Pasifika (2.2%)
As per Simeon, “International Medical Graduates (IMG) make a significant contribution to the workforce of Aotearoa New Zealand, and there are several pathways to registration. The pathways consider the qualifications, training and experience of an IMG and the medical practice they intend to do in New Zealand (for example, the area of medicine or whether they wish to be recognised as a specialist). This allows flexibility while ensuring the protection of the public.”
The council’s primary purpose is to protect public safety by ensuring that doctors are competent and fit to practise. As the regulator, it sets standards and is not involved in or has any control over employment processes. However, it works closely with the health sector and training providers to support practising doctors in New Zealand.
Pathways to registration for Indian doctors
NZREX
Doctors qualified and settled in India need to take the NZREX, if they wish to register in New Zealand. The examination is pitched at the level of a final-year student at a New Zealand medical school. After clearing this examination, a doctor must secure an intern position in an accredited prevocational training provider and complete the prevocational medical training programme requirements. This ensures they are provided appropriate support and training as they settle into practise in New Zealand, recognising they have not practised in a comparable health system and many have not practised medicine for a significant period.