This is an unbelievable story. A South African-born emergency physician was denied Canadian citizenship. The reason is stunning:
Dr. Stanley Muwanguzi is frustrated with being in limbo while Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials review his application, which was denied in June 2006 on the grounds his cerebral palsy-stricken daughter would constitute a burden on the health-care system.
He’s thinking about moving to the United States instead, as medical recruiters promised that his immigration papers would be fast-tracked:
Muwanguzi said medical recruiters in the U.S. have told him he would be fast-tracked to receive a green card within two years because that country is also in desperate need of physicians.
Puzzling move by a country that could use a few extra doctors to staff their emergency departments.
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{ 7 comments }
the one given is that my country is losing doctors. well done anc.
In reality neither the condition of the daughter nor the fact that he is a physician ought to play a part in such a decision. This is one more horrible consequence of socialized healthcare.
Makes perfect sense to me–under a socialized system. Socialism always eventually means a loss of freedom. Since Canada would be assuming the cost of her care, then her condition become a legitimate and necessary part of the calculation.
We used to aggressively screen health of immigrants to the US and, now that we extend tax dollars to care for the poor and elderly, are stupid not to do so again.
Every country has the absolute right to decide who to welcome as much as you do your home–for whatever reason makes sense to them. This one actually makes a lot of sense.
Here’s news, the same could apply in the USA.
The fact that Canada might have use for another doctor doesn’t obviate the weight having to take on another resident who will require immediate and ongoing care financed by the citizens of that country. In case you are not aware, most countries that allow any migrations evaluate not only the occupation of the head of the family, but all the other components of that family, including handicapped individuals and the elderly.
This applicant obviously sought to bring with him his handicapped dependent daughter; her needs should be considered just as much as his potential contribution as a skilled worker.
And if you think this is stupid or unfair, just remember, doctors are not always welcome in every place, including in some surprisingly advanced places, like Australia and New Zealand.
Switzerland is putting a cap on doctor numbers as a way to control health care costs.
You can’t really say it’s because of a socialized system. The state will choose people as it sees fit. In the early 20th century immigrants were screened for ’simpler’ medical conditions when entering the U.S. Not because of financial healthcare costs, but rather to maintain a “clean” population.
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