More temporary foreign farm workers in Chatham-Kent will be getting onsite primary health care in the future following an expansion announcement from Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres (CKCHC).
CKCHC said on Monday that their outreach team will be supporting more migrant workers during their stay in the area, beyond the two local farms it currently serves.
The local health provider said the goal is to reduce barriers to care and promote overall health and well-being among temporary foreign workers at a convenient time and location for the farm and the workers.
"Our team has had wonderful success in reducing barriers to access to care for Temporary Foreign Workers,” said CKCHC Clinical and Client Services Manager Mallory Nowakowski. "By providing onsite care, we have reduced emergency room visits and provided early intervention to prevent serious health concerns. We are thrilled to continue to serve the Chatham-Kent community.”
The CKCHC said it has developed a program designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of the temporary foreign workers to be delivered with compassion and respect for their cultural differences.
The CKCHC said it recently reached out to various local farms to understand the unique healthcare needs of the temporary foreign workers in the community and found they face some healthcare challenges in a new country.
CKCHC noted the team's expansion will also address the healthcare needs of the diverse population in the municipality, including persons who face barriers due to race, language, culture, and sexual orientation.
"We would love to have the opportunity to meet with interested farms and further understand their needs," said CKCHC Registered Practical Nurse Michelle Powers. "We believe this program expansion will positively impact the health and well-being of Temporary Foreign Workers in the Chatham-Kent region."
The CKCHC team is led by a Nurse Practitioner, a Registered Practical Nurse, and a Health Promoter, which provides medical assessments to the foreign farm workers who require health care for acute needs, prescription renewals, health education, influenza vaccination clinics during flu season, and other health services as needed.
Interested farms are encouraged to reach out to Michelle Powers at 226-626-7876 or Michelle.Powers@ckchc.ca for more information about the program.
Justice for Migrant Workers told CK News Today that initiatives to provide access to healthcare for migrant farm workers are welcomed, however, systemic issues remain as a result of the tied work permit system whereby migrant agricultural workers lose their access to healthcare once their status in Canada ends.
Chris Ramsaroop of the Toronto-based justice group that promotes the rights of migrant farm workers also said the constant threat of repatriation often means that injured and sick migrant farm workers are not receiving the access to healthcare that is required.
