Article written by Roxanne Jarrett
Exclusively for mcislanguages.com
Canada has a publicly funded health care system that provides coverage for medically necessary services, primarily access to hospitals and physicians. This system is commonly known as ‘Medicare’ and is comprised of various provincial and territorial health care insurance plans. However, accessing these services can prove to be a challenge for many immigrants due to various reasons. This is considered a problem, as the Canadian census reports that there are over 8.3 million immigrants living in the country, making up approximately 23 per cent of the population.
Barriers faced by immigrants when accessing health care
Language and knowledge barriers are some of the reasons why it is difficult for some immigrants to access health care. Many newcomers to Canada do not speak English or French, which can make it difficult for them to understand medical information or speak with health care providers. This, in turn, makes it challenging for them to navigate the Canadian healthcare system. Cultural differences and lack of diversity also pose an issue, as some may be hesitant to seek medical care due to cultural taboos and differences in beliefs regarding health. These factors often push immigrants to either forego medical aid or pay for health care out of their pockets, which poses even more difficulty for some.
Regardless, health care is free for anyone who has lived in Canada and had a permanent resident status for at least three months, and it is important that newcomers are informed of this. Aside from this, Canada is home to several health-related private initiatives that are similarly open to everyone. Below are a few prime examples that newcomers can benefit from.
Mental health care
About 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness each year, and about 29 per cent of immigrants reported having emotional problems. Immigrants, especially younger ones, are susceptible to mental health issues due to stress associated with the immigration process and the acculturation that comes with settling into a new country.
While it might be a challenge resettling into a new life, there are efforts that immigrants can be introduced to; one of which is confidential support services offered by Wellness Together Canada, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This resource can be accessed online on their website and is available to anyone located in Canada. Clinics such as The Walk-In Counselling Clinic also offer free single counseling sessions to anyone on a first-come-first-serve basis, with no need for appointments.
Pediatric care
One of the largest sectors in Canada’s health care system is pediatric care, which branches out to various specialties. In particular, approximately 20 per cent of all immigrants arriving Canada each year are children aged 15 and below. One way to help immigrants access pediatric care is by introducing them to Kids New to Canada, a government-funded project that provides various information and resources for different types of health care. Some of these include resources for mental health and child development, as well as assistance with immunizations and various types of medical assessments.
Optical care is one of the most important for children because sight is their most utilized sense, especially in classroom learning, where 80 per cent of comprehension is visual. As such, various medical interventions are easily accessible to all children. Glasses brand Clearly performs eye exams and offers free glasses for children upon presenting their prescription and health card. The glasses are available for all children aged 10 and below, and they can even choose their own glasses frames at any store branch across the country. This service doesn’t require Canadian citizenship, which means newcomer children can get their specs without fuss.
Geriatric care
Many immigrants are in need of geriatric care, considering 23 per cent of older Canadians are long-term immigrants, while another 16 per cent are immigrants who came to Canada as adults. This is why all physician-provided primary and acute care services for senior citizens in Canada are fully funded through the universal public insurance system. Senior immigrants can be directed to institutions that offer Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (also known as the CGA). The CGA is a multidimensional diagnostic process that evaluates the medical, functional, and psychosocial needs of older adults. It’s a key tool in identifying health issues and developing individualized care plans.
Aside from this, groups such as the Canadian Geriatrics Society can assist in matching a health care professional to a patient. This ensures that aging immigrants are able to receive nuanced care regardless of their language barrier. In the case of senior citizens needing medical equipment like wheelchairs, brands such as Motion Composites offer disability grants and funded assistance for access to said equipment. These grants aim to help individuals with different special needs in various communities at no cost. Currently, these grants are approved every few months, which means geriatric immigrants who are chosen won’t have to wait long.