These Gazan families came to Quebec for safety. Now, they face life without health coverage

Nidal Zaqout arrived in Montreal last September with his family, hoping for a chance to rebuild their lives after fleeing Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza. However, the struggle was far from over. Despite feeling safe in Canada, Zaqout soon realized that his family would only receive public health coverage for three months after their arrival.

Zaqout, who lives with his parents, two sisters, wife, and children in the West Island, expressed his concerns about what would happen if someone in his household fell ill. His father suffers from severe knee pain, while his mother deals with migraines and other health issues. Without Quebec health insurance (RAMQ), going to the hospital was not an option, and the costs were prohibitively expensive.

“It’s a bad feeling, I’m thinking about everything every day,” Zaqout said, highlighting the challenges his family faces without access to healthcare. His 15-year-old sister, Aya, added that many people who fled Gaza have lost everything and cannot afford medical care.

The family’s situation is not unique. More than 70 civil society and health-care groups in Quebec have criticized the province for failing to provide health-care coverage to Gazans. Despite arriving in Canada under the temporary residency program, which grants visas for three years, Gazans only received three months of health coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

Jehan Elsayyed, another Gazan living in Sherbrooke, Que., shared her struggles after breaking her arm and losing health coverage shortly after. She emphasized the need for healthcare support, especially for those who have experienced trauma and hardship in Gaza.

Khadijé Jizi, a Montreal-based genetic counselor, highlighted the importance of public coverage for Gazan families, especially for children who may require medical attention for developmental issues or trauma-related conditions. She criticized the lack of extended health coverage for Gazans, calling it a policy of discrimination.

The conflicting explanations from Quebec and Ottawa regarding the lack of health coverage for Gazans have sparked outrage among activists and healthcare professionals. Dr. Sophie Zhang, a member of Quebec Doctors Against Genocide, questioned the governments’ responses and emphasized the need to provide basic rights like healthcare to vulnerable populations.

Despite the challenges, Zaqout remains hopeful and determined to contribute to his new community in Montreal. He dreams of obtaining a medical card and using his nursing experience to help Quebecers. He also longs for the day when his loved ones still trapped in Gaza can reunite with him in Canada.

As the debate over health coverage for Gazans continues, activists and healthcare professionals are calling for action to ensure that all newcomers, regardless of their background, have access to essential healthcare services. The story of Nidal Zaqout and his family sheds light on the struggles faced by refugees and the urgent need for inclusive healthcare policies in Quebec.