Physicians doing a world of good
OPENING THE DOOR TO BETTER REFUGEE HEALTH CARE
By Colleen MacPherson
Among the myriad challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in this country is navigating the health-care system, but those arriving in Regina have an advantage – a care program designed specifically to meet their needs. And for one of the program founders, the work is as much personal as it is professional.
Dr. Razawa Maroof was born and raised in the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah. A practising gynaecologist, she fled the genocide in her home country and arrived in Canada in June 1996 as a political refugee. Because she was pregnant, the local Open Door Society referred her to a Regina physician who appeared at the appointment wearing a disposable gown, mask and gloves. “I thought maybe he was sick, that he was wearing the gown and mask to protect the patient,” she said. On a second visit however, this time accompanying a family member who had an earache, Dr. Maroof noted the same attire, and that “he didn’t even look at the ear, he just referred to a specialist.” The message was clear – no physical contact with refugees. Describing another instance but with a different physician, Dr. Maroof said the doctor “didn’t put the stethoscope on the chest, just held it over top.” Even though she was a
trained physician and spoke English (she also speaks Kurdish and Arabic), Dr. Maroof characterized these encounters as “traumatizing,” but they were also the genesis of her commitment to improving the experience for other refugees and immigrants. “I decided that when I became a physician here in Canada, I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I went through.” Dr. Maroof completed her Canadian licensing requirements, including a residency in family medicine, and in 2002, joined the Regina Community Clinic (RCC) where she continued to advocate for the needs of refugees. In 2005, an agreement between the RCC, the Ministry of Health and the Open Door Society marked the start of the clinic’s refugee care program to serve government-supported newcomers. That first year, the program served about 30 patients, said Dr. Maroof. Last year, that number grew to about 650, and refugees account for more than 20 per cent of the patient care provided by the RCC. She said the clinic is particularly well suited to provide the program given its team of multidisciplinary professionals and on-site X-ray and lab facilities. The team meets regularly to discuss issues “and find solutions.” Dr. Maroof said the aim is to provide primary health services to refugees but education in areas like nutrition, exercise, contraception and diabetes management is equally as important. Typically, a patient will remain in the program for about two years before being transitioned into the wider health-care community, but Dr. Maroof said more support is needed, particularly in overcoming “the number one barrier for every single person – language.”
SMA DIGEST | SUMMER 2018
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