Health

International health professionals face slow accreditation in Canada

Canada’s healthcare system is increasingly relying on internationally trained professionals, but many immigrants are facing challenges in getting licensed to practice here. The accreditation process can take months, if not years, leaving some newcomers feeling frustrated and overlooked.

One such individual is Palwasha Anwari, a doctor with 15 years of experience in public health in Afghanistan. Despite her impressive background, Anwari found it easier to secure a job in Egypt than in Canada. She arrived in Thunder Bay, Ontario in February 2022, following the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul. Anwari later moved to Ottawa in search of opportunities that matched her expertise but has been unsuccessful in finding employment.

Although Anwari’s international degrees were recognized in Canada, the process of obtaining a medical license proved to be challenging. Despite her efforts to leverage her experience and contacts in the field, she struggled to secure a job in Canada. Anwari described feeling tired, frustrated, and disappointed by the lack of opportunities available to her.

After defending her doctoral thesis in December, Anwari continued to search for employment in Canada without success. This week, she is leaving Ottawa for Cairo to take a job as a health economist with the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office. While the job aligns with her passion, Anwari is concerned that others, including her sisters, are still struggling to have their credentials recognized in Canada.

Sebastian Martin, senior director of employment services at YMCA Ottawa, has witnessed similar situations among other newcomers to Canada. Many well-educated professionals with valuable experience are facing challenges in navigating the complex accreditation process.

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On a more positive note, Laurelle Temtching Maffo, a nurse from Cameroon, has had a smoother experience in having her credentials recognized in Quebec. She applied for admission by equivalence to Quebec’s college of nurses before moving to Gatineau in 2024. Despite longer wait times for foreign credential evaluations, Maffo received assistance from a local resettlement agency and is now working as an orderly at the Hull Hospital.

The federal government has pledged $50 million over two years to simplify the recognition of foreign credentials in the medical field. Provinces like Ontario have launched programs to accelerate the licensing process for internationally trained doctors and nurses. The Practice Ready Ontario program aims to license 100 primary care doctors, while the College of Nurses of Ontario is updating criteria to help nurses with validated international education transition into practice.

The challenges faced by internationally trained professionals in Canada’s healthcare system are being addressed, but more needs to be done to streamline the accreditation process and ensure that newcomers can contribute their skills and expertise to the workforce. By supporting initiatives that facilitate the integration of foreign-trained professionals, Canada can benefit from a diverse and talented healthcare workforce.

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