Community News
Black refugees in Canada face barriers to accessing health care despite Federal coverage
BY RUSHANE FERRON
29-year-old, Jarrett a Black gay man, fled Jamaica to Canada for safety. He never thought the day would come when he felt like returning home, but that fateful day came – December 26th, 2023 – when he felt ill and was unable to access health care services without hassle.
“This is Canada where the health sector is ranked the best in the world,” Jarrett said.
As a part of the rights and freedom of all, the access to health care should not be constituted by status, gender, race, or creed. The Canada Health Act (CHA) states that the primary objective of Canadian health care policy is to: protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada, and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial, or other barriers.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms outlined in the Constitution Act, 1982 guarantees the rights and freedoms in Section 1 of the constitution to protect those basic rights and freedoms in a free and democratic society.
Despite health care being covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), Black refugees and other ethnic groups without Permanent Residency status or Canadian citizenship continue to encounter significant obstacles in obtaining adequate or access healthcare services.
Jarret was left distraught when he made several calls to numerous health care facilities within the Scarborough area and was told by multiple office receptionists that they do not see refugees, or patients under IFHP plan. “I was so sick and clueless. I was so happy when I was told by the representative at One Care Medical and Children’s Clinic that I will have to be at the clinic by 2:30pm to see the doctor at 4:00 p.m. because that is the only slot available daily,” Jarrett shared.
Jarrett further explained that it is very noticeable that Black refugees often face discrimination and systemic barriers when attempting to access healthcare services. Many reported experiencing prejudice from healthcare providers, leading to delayed, or inadequate treatment. The language barriers further exacerbate the issue, with some refugees struggling to communicate effectively with medical professionals.
In a telephone discussion with the Office Assistant from One Care Medical and Children’s Clinic based in Scarborough, it was explained that the morning doctors are not registered to see refugee claimants; clinic facilitates refugee claimants by evening doctors, but only for the 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. window.
Orville Burke, Lead ACB Harm Reduction Specialist at the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention explained that many immigrants, especially refugee claimants are often surprised to find out that not all medical professionals and health services are willing to accept their Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) healthcare coverage. This often leaves them in a quandary that can have significant long-term health consequences due to a lack of access to adequate healthcare.
“In that period between filing for refugee status and having a successful hearing of their case, many of the clients I support have to endure extended illnesses, and a lack of access to vital medications and health services. For many of them, their health situation deteriorates further during this interstitial period. This adds to the stress faced by newcomers who must navigate a new country, unfamiliar systems, loneliness, separation anxiety and an immigration process that can at times feel punitive.
It is difficult for refugee newcomers to gain improved access to healthcare services without the appropriate changes to the IFHP at the level of the federal government. However, the community of people (some of whom were once refugee claimants themselves) and organizations who serve the newcomer community have found creative ways to help fill some of the gaps or find workarounds,” Burke stated.
He further explained, there are places such as the: PrEP Clinic, Blue Door Clinic and Hassle-Free Clinic that help both undocumented residents and those with precarious health coverage gain access to life-saving medications and services. “So, my advice to newcomer refugees is to connect with the communities and organizations that support this demographic. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can help them to better navigate the healthcare system despite the inadequacies of the IFHP,” he shared.
Director of Programs and Services at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, Ian McKnight explained that “Access to healthcare continues to be a medium to high-level barrier, particularly for Black migrants to Canada.”
He added, “The inherent power disparity in health care comes to the forefront for people who do not know the system, people who do not have the language and other social proficiency most of whom are black and racialized.”
McKnight further asserted that the entire health delivery system has to be toppled on its head and the power imbalance inverted to allow for the service user to be central rather than the service given to continue being pedestalized.
Additionally, access to dental and optical care is far out of the reach of many of the communities which are served, and social service access does not readily help with that. The system is unresponsive to those who sleep on the streets, get ill and have to seek medical attention.
McKnight recalled that one of the most outstanding episodes was of a migrant to Canada who was here for no more than one week and who became gravely ill. On two occasions, she went to the same hospital and was turned away saying that she had no medical coverage, no health card and could not be seen. Despite staff members yelling through her telephone to the receptionists that it is illegal to turn somebody away, they did the same.
“So here is a Black woman, new to a country, very ill and having no medical records. We know of countless others who are afraid of presenting to the health facilities for fear that it will overthrow their refugee claims and result in deportation. There are people living with HIV, for example, who come here without medication, or who test positive at immigration, to readily get on medication has become a protracted time for them,” McKnight shared.