A demonstration held Monday in St. John’s took aim at the federal government’s plan to change health care coverage for refugees.
Speaking to reporters during a news conference that coincided with the protest, family physician Dr. Pauline Duke said the changes will create problems for refugees.
As of now, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers medical needs for refugees during their first 12 months in Canada, allowing them to receive medication for various ailments.
But under changes set to become law on July 1, that coverage will only apply to medical conditions that pose a risk to public health or safety, such as tuberculosis or HIV.
Adriana Castano-Kutty, who came to Canada from Columbia as a refugee along with her two children in 2003, said having the coverage gave her peace of mind at the time of her arrival to the country.
Duke said the coverage is essential for refugees needing eye glasses who may not yet speak English, enhancing their ability to learn the language. She added many refugees suffer from depression as a result of their experiences in countries facing turmoil.
Duke also referred to new refugees as the “poorest of the poor” in Canada, and said they can otherwise not afford most medications.
Approximately a dozen Memorial University medical students took part in the protest.
For more on this story, read Tuesday’s edition of The Telegram.
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If you believe that doctors decide how much patients pay, then you really need to learn about our healthcare system. Dr. Duke is paid an annual salary by the government and has no way of choosing the amount paid by her patients. As someone who knows her personally, I can assure you that she cares deeply about the conditions aboriginals in this country have had to put up with, but you can only deal with one big issue at a time. Also, seniors have insurance and pensions. Refugees have no way of paying for healthcare because they were forced to flee their country. They didn't really have an opportunity to tie up loose ends and make sure their insurance would cover it. The aid given to refugees now pays for healthcare for their first year so that they can find jobs, so then they can pay for healthcare. Every refugee I have ever met has been a hard-working person, who is thrilled to be in Canada because the conditions are so much better than they've been through before. There is a difference between refugee and immigrant, and the people posting these comments should remember that.