Dr. and Mrs. Muneer arrive in Tofield

For more see the Dec. 17/13 issue of the Tofield Mercury

Tofield and area residents were no doubt disappointed when a doctor from South Africa was recently denied a visa to work here. But now there is some good news as the community welcomes another doctor who arrived last Friday from Ireland.

Dr. Mohammed Muneer is settling into a residence in Tofield along with his wife, Shabana, before beginning his three-month assessment process to certify him for local practice.

Cyndy Heslin, chair of the Tofield and Area Health Services Foundation, was excited that one of three doctors recruited for Tofield has arrived, even if he cannot practice as yet.

Unfortunately, Dr. Mancha Maphosa was denied a visa to move here and begin a medical practice. However, a third physician, Dr. Balai Rizvi, is expected to arrive soon from Newfoundland where he has been practicing for about six months. He, too, will have to go through the medical assessment process, said Heslin, because there was a geographical restriction on his license in Newfoundland.