Migrant health experts warn that the rapid influx of Ukrainians fleeing to Canada could mean some of them face difficulty accessing primary care.
A new analysis published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that Canada’s special visa program for Ukrainians fleeing war may help ease the immigration process, but could also create gaps from a government perspective. access to medical care.
Lead author Dr. Christina Greenaway explains that newcomers from Ukraine have medical coverage, but are not eligible for standard refugee settlement agency assistance, as they are classified as “ temporary residents.
The infectious disease physician at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal says these settlement agencies help connect migrants to medical and psychological services that play an important role in ensuring a smooth integration into Canada.
Dr. Greenaway adds that Canada needs to strengthen its systems to provide equitable health care coverage to people affected by mass migration, such as improving access to interpreters that would allow doctors to better communicate with newly arrived patients. .
According to the federal government, 55,488 Ukrainians arrived in Canada between January 1 and June 26.
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