Meili ‘dusting off the stethoscope’ to help at testing facility during COVID-19 crisis

NDP leader Ryan Meili is heading back to the doctor’s chair to help fight on the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

The former family physician says he’s renewed his license and has started work at a testing and assessment centre in Saskatoon. Meili began the work this past weekend.

“It was (the) first shift, and (the) first time for dusting off the stethoscope after a while, so it was a bit exciting to get back to work,” he told 650 CKOM Monday afternoon.

“The testing and assessment centre is in the core neighbourhood, at Princess Alexander School. Just working with the nurse practitioner and the rest of the team, seeing folks who have symptoms of COVID, and getting them tested and getting them any other medical care they need.”

Meili says he signed up for his license renewal around the third week in March through a process created by the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Meili’s emergency license is now active until the end of June, at which point it can be renewed if it’s required.

The leader of the opposition says he doesn’t foresee any issues with balancing both roles but said it does add some additional work.

“(I’m) obviously ready to help in whatever way is possible. That may change exactly how I do the role as leader of the opposition, but I’m not going anywhere on that front,” he said.