Internationally Trained Medical Doctors Sidelined in Canada

Dr Shafi Bhuiyan is pictured here with a team of ITMDs. Foreign-trained doctors are underutilized in Canada despite shortages of trained personnel.By Shafi Bhuiyan and team of ITMDsToronto, Canada, Aug 20 2021 (IPS) Canada is ranked number one out of 78 countries globally, with the highest marks in social purpose indicators, emphasizing human rights, social justice, and racial equity commitment, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report survey. The country follows the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles, incorporating them into research and workplace environments, and it acknowledges challenges vulnerable populations face. Adopting these principles in every aspect of people’s lives makes Canada one of the most attractive places for numerous immigrants worldwide, with more than 13 000 internationally trained medical doctors (ITMDs) calling Canada home. Canada’s health care is based on social equity fundamentals, having universal health coverage for essential medical services free of charge. Nevertheless, in 2019, about 4.6 million Canadians claimed that they do not have regular medical practitioners to seek advice or help. In 2020, the highest record of 10.5 weeks waiting time from a family physician referral to specialist consultation was documented, with additional 12.1 weeks interval before treatment was initiated. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated these issues resulting in about 16 million healthcare services backlogs in Ontario alone. T...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: columns COVID-19 Headlines Health Human Rights North America TerraViva United Nations Canada Diversity equity foreign-trained doctors inclusion Source Type: news