25 Jun 2009

Maori doctor numbers increasing

5:40 am on 25 June 2009

The number of Maori doctors is on the rise, but supply is still not matching demand.

Waatea News reports a workforce survey by the Medical Council for 2008 shows 3.2% of the 13,000 doctors in New Zealand are Maori - up 0.5% on the previous year.

The Maori Doctors Association, Te Ora, says the increase shows affirmative action strategies like Auckland University's Vision 20:20 scheme are working.

But chief executive Ripeka Evans says getting more young Maori interested in the sciences could generate more candidates for medical schools.

The Medical Council says 42% of Maori doctors work in the Auckland, Waitemata & Counties Manukau DHBs, and 30% are GPs.