OTTAWA, Oct. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an in depth open letter, signed onto by the Decent Work and Health Network and launched by Health for All Network, almost a thousand health employees throughout Canada are prescribing everlasting resident standing for all to save lives. The letter comes just a few days earlier than the ten-month mark since Prime Minister Trudeau promised to create a regularization plan that would offer everlasting residence to undocumented and momentary immigrants.
Ontario household doctor, Dr. Vanessa Redditt, one in every of signatories says, “Without secure immigration status, many migrants are denied basic rights and essential services, with extremely damaging impacts on their health and well-being. We need to see immediate action from the federal government to fulfill their promise to ensure permanent residency for the 1.7 million migrants living and working in Canada with precarious, temporary, or no immigration status.”
The letter, additionally signed by organizations together with Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, National Union of Public and General Employees in addition to the Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and British Columbia Health Coalitions urges Prime Minister Trudeau to “consider the negative health impacts of precarious immigration status and ensure that no one is left behind. Ensuring equal rights and access for all migrants is critical for closing systemic gaps in health inequities.”
Yasmin Beydoun, a speech-language pathologist in Toronto, shares, “I have had patients with significant swallowing impairments leave the hospital without community follow-up because they had no status and therefore no health coverage. This is a huge health risk, if they can’t safely eat and drink, they are at a higher risk for choking, lung infections, and even malnutrition. These patients do not get the same access to care as citizens. Saving lives means ensuring permanent residency for all migrants, including undocumented people.”
Not solely are migrants sufferers of health providers, they’re healthcare employees themselves. Akinwumi Yemi is undocumented immigrant from Nigeria and member of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, who has been working within the long-term care division of a public hospital close to Kahnawake since 2018. He says, “I have been committed and dedicated since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, taking care of the elderly in Canada and putting the lives of my own family and loved ones at risk. I have no access to good and quality medical care and other opportunities because I am an undocumented immigrant. All we are asking for is equal rights and permanent residence for all without exception.”
The letter explains, “while all levels of government have responsibilities for the health, safety, and security of migrants, the federal government’s role in determining immigration status is critical, including through accords it has with individual provinces.” In addition to calling for immigration modifications, letter signatories are additionally calling on provinces to present healthcare for all no matter immigration standing.
A latest assessment of present analysis in Canada confirmed that immigration standing is a foundational determinant of health for folks with out standing in Canada. Dr. Monika Dutt, a public health doctor in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador says, “Health providers are asking Prime Minister Trudeau to fix a historic wrong by delivering a comprehensive and inclusive regularization program.”
On October 16, 2022, health workers across Canada will join the Migrant Rights Network at actions at Cabinet Minister constituency offices demanding full and permanent immigration status for all immediately.
“Our patients cannot afford any more delays. Prime Minister Trudeau needs to move fast and ensure full and permanent immigration status for all migrants,” adds Dr. Dutt
Background:
Available for interviews:
- Ontario: Dr. Vanessa Redditt, family physician
- British Columbia: Dr. Mei-ling Wiedmeyer, family physician; Nesa Hamidi Tousi, nurse practitioner
- Quebec: Dr. Arnold Aberman, general practitioner, Quebec
- Nova Scotia: Dr. Monika Dutt, family physician and public health specialist
To arrange interviews, contact:
Sarah Shahid
[email protected] | 514-415-4666
About:
The Decent Work and Health Network is a coalition of health providers advocating for improving working conditions to help protect and promote the health of our patients. We are a group of doctors, nurses, health workers, and experts who have been leading voices for paid sick days as an urgent, evidence-based public health measure.
Health for All Network consists of members of the health community across Canada who support full and permanent immigration status as a way to improve individual and community health.
