Abstract
Background
Access to adequate and efficient healthcare services is one of the core human rights of children under Article 24 the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC obligates all governments to take every measure to fulfill all human rights articulated under the UNCRC for all children including the refugee and asylum-seeking children who come to Canada in search of a new and better life.
Objective
Understanding the health of newcomer children is important given the significance of the early childhood years and the complexity of factors that may influence the health status of newcomer populations including past and current adversity and delayed or poor access during the transition to Canada.
Methodology
This qualitative study recruited a cohort of 12 newcomer mothers and used semi-structured interviews to explore and better understand their experience as they access healthcare services for their children.
Results
The themes that emerged highlighted:
1. Access to health care including challenges in seeing a provider, language and communication barriers, cultural sensitivity and Medicare/insurance coverage;
2. Health status and experiences including experiences in hospital, wait times, and improvement in the child's health status;
3. Comparison and Gaps in the Health Care system including comparison to home country, clear gaps and suggestions for pediatric friendly healthcare facilities;
4. Support services and Policy changes including information and support services for newcomer families, policy changes for newcomer families and
5. Miscellaneous mentions including medical screening and immigration requirements.
“We don't know where to go or who we can ask”…. Participant 001
“I think Medicare should be making made accessible to all children. It shouldn't be a privilege or based on status”…Participant 002
“Populations is increasing, but the hospital is not getting bigger, the ER wing is not getting bigger, the number of beds are not increasing, the rooms are not getting double, so it's hard for them to satisfy the population”...Participant 010
Recommendations:
1. Enhanced language support services
2. Cultural competency training
3. Reducing wait times
4. Improved information dissemination
5. Financial assistance programs
6. Community support initiatives
Discussion
This study underscores the necessity of adapting healthcare systems to meet the diverse needs of an increasingly multicultural population with unique needs, ensuring that all children can achieve optimal health and development. Under Article 22 of the CRC, it is the responsibility of every government that hosts newcomer children to uphold and protect the rights of these new citizens. Lack of access to adequate and timely healthcare services can adversely impact child development and have high cost for societies.
