Health & Mental Health

South Fraser RRT core members have identified numerous challenges for refugees and displaced Ukrainians in accessing health care and mental health services throughout the region.

This includes language barriers and interpretation, trauma and culturally informed services, waitlists, barriers accessing the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and challenges navigating the health system. As well, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees, protected persons and refugee claimants is not universally accepted.

These unmet health care and mental health needs for refugees and displaced Ukrainians require responsive and culturally and trauma-informed approaches.

These needs are exasperated because of difficulties in accessing resources in countries of origin with current situations in Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.

Finding a family doctor is not an easy task for newcomers to the South Fraser Region of BC.  Here are some information sheets translated in various languages to help refugees find a family doctor.

• Finding a Family Doctor in the South Fraser Region of BC Information Sheet Download Here
• Finding a Family Doctor in the South Fraser (Arabic) Download Here
• Finding a Family Doctor in the South Fraser (Dari) Download Here
• Finding a Family Doctor in the South Fraser (Pashto) Download Here
• Finding a Family Doctor in the South Fraser (Ukrainian) Download Here

• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP): Information for Refugees & Protected Persons Download Here
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (Dari) Download Here
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (Arabic) Download Here
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (Tigrinya) Download Here
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (Spanish) Download Here
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) (Pashto) Download Here

Interpretation and translation are important parts of providing quality health care to newcomers. Learn more about this issue in these information sheets below, one for health care practitioners and one for the public.

• Removing Health Care Barriers for Refugees: Provincial Language Services for Health Practitioners Information Sheet Download Here 

• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Ukrainian) Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Dari) Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Arabic) Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Tigrinya) Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Spanish) Download Here
• Health Care Interpretation Support for Newcomers Information Sheet (Pashto) Download Here