Temporary housing unaffordable for organ transplant patients, say charities

Two charities in Edmonton and Toronto are advocating for provincial governments to reconsider their approach to providing housing support for organ transplant patients who need to temporarily relocate for treatment. This call for action comes in response to reports of lung transplant patients in Nova Scotia facing financial challenges, with some even having to sell their homes to cover the costs of accessing life-saving medical care.

Silvio Dobri, a heart transplant recipient and founder of the GoodHearts Transplant Foundation in Edmonton, understands the struggles faced by transplant patients firsthand. The foundation currently offers subsidized apartments near the University of Alberta Hospital for transplant patients, providing them with a comfortable and affordable place to stay while receiving treatment. Dobri emphasizes the importance of maintaining this support system for as long as possible to ease the burden on patients and their families.

Jackie Foord, the CEO of GoodHearts, highlights the nationwide issue of finding suitable accommodations near hospitals, especially in light of the ongoing housing crisis. Patients across Canada are grappling with the financial strain of securing housing near medical facilities, adding additional stress to an already challenging situation.

In Nova Scotia, lung transplant recipients receive a monthly allowance of $3,000 to cover rent in Toronto, where they must reside with a caregiver during their treatment. However, the high cost of accommodations in the city has forced some families to make difficult financial decisions, such as selling their homes to afford the necessary care.

Sass Khazzam, who oversees StayWell Toronto, a charity that assists patients in finding affordable housing during their treatment, echoes the concerns raised by Foord. The $3,000 monthly allowance provided to patients falls short of covering the expenses associated with securing suitable accommodations in Toronto, particularly during peak tourist seasons when prices surge.

Khazzam emphasizes the importance of additional support for transplant patients, as they often have no control over the timing of their treatment and must contend with fluctuating accommodation costs. StayWell Toronto works tirelessly to negotiate affordable rates with hotels and apartment providers, but the demand for housing often exceeds the available resources.

While each province and territory has its own approach to supporting transplant patients with living expenses, there is a clear disparity in the level of assistance provided. Some regions, like Alberta, offer no financial support for patients who need to relocate for treatment, while others, such as New Brunswick, have recently increased their monthly allowances to alleviate some of the financial burden.

Michelle Thompson, the health minister of Nova Scotia, acknowledges the challenges faced by patients seeking financial assistance for healthcare-related expenses. However, Foord believes that it is crucial for governments to address the inequities in access to healthcare, particularly for individuals living in rural and remote communities. The inability to access essential medical care can have devastating consequences for many individuals and their families, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive and equitable system of support for transplant patients nationwide.