For the past years, thousands and hundreds of refugees and migrants have fled to Canada from different neighbouring countries. Many were fleeing from violence and wars, hoping for a new and better life.
Annually, Canada receives 250,000 immigrants, which is way up to what the government has ever imagined. In 2012, the list of immigrants has been added with the thousands of refugee claimants.
These people came to Canada to start a new life. However, it seems difficult for them to do so when sickness, illness and diseases strike them down and health care is limited and even denied. An estimated 500,000 people in Canada don't have any access to health care insurance and benefits based on their immigration status.
Funmi (not her real name, hidden for security), an immigrant from Nigeria and have been living in Canada for around 11 years, thinks that her life is at risk again. She is now facing a massive tumour, which has grown on her back. But sad to say, she doesn't have any access to healthcare which could lead to the removal of the tumour. She once thought of suicide because of this, however, Dr. Paul Caulford provided her with the help she needed.
Dr. Caulford's volunteer clinic in Toronto, stated that many of the refugees suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and that could be progressive.
Conversely, Dr. Ritika Goel, who works with refugees and others who are uninsured, says most walked on a difficult path to have little or no medical help at all.
The Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care even documented that due to unavailability to provide medical insurance or changes in the government policies or procedures that may confuse the medical providers of whose entitled, and which lead them to deny any medical assistance.
With this, the centre envisions to give all newcomers in Canada the health care they require, without judgment of their circumstances and who find themselves medically uninsured.
Because of this, pressures may be felt by all these refugees and immigrants, but thanks to the generosity of some strangers and centres that extended help. Through their refugee programs and assistance, refugees hope and dreams lighten up in a foreign land, away from their home.
