Several doctors and nurses in Saskatchewan have returned to the front lines to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic after either retiring or stepping away from the profession. Another one to do so is provincial NDP leader Ryan Meili.

The former family physician applied to renew his medical license in March after letting it expire in 2018 after he won the NDP leadership campaign. He now helps test patients for COVID-19 in the Core Neighbourhood area in Saskatoon.

Dr. Meili said everyone else in Saskatchewan is doing their part during the pandemic, so he decided to do his.

“I just want to be doing my part,” Meili said. “As leader of the opposition, but as somebody with medical training it just seemed appropriate to be part of ‘all hands on deck.’”

Meili said it doesn’t surprise him that other doctors and nurses are renewing their licenses.

“The people who work in health care around the world, but definitely my colleagues here in Saskatchewan are so committed to patients and the good health of the people of the province,” Meili said. “I’m pleased to see it, but not at all surprised that people are coming forward to help in that way.”

Meili said things were slow during his first shift.

“I had some people coming in to get tested and checked out, but so far, we’ve been lucky and not seen COVID-19 coming into the Core Neighbourhood in any serious way, and hopefully it continues that way,” Meili said. “It’s a really at-risk and vulnerable population, hopefully the virus stays away.”

Meili said his wife also works on the front lines, and while this pandemic has felt very real all along, his experience on Sunday was an eye-opening experience.