Immigrant Services Association Nova Scotia and Dalhousie Family Medicine

Gerry Mills: It a big step for care for those coming to the province, said Gerry Mills, Director of Operations, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia . Right now, patients are being seen for assessments in ISANS office, in a room that is also used as a classroom at other times in the week, with paper covering windows for privacy. "We're thrilled....we don't want to be providing health care services within ISANS, we think it should be in the walls of a medical clinic." The clinic will operate out of the Dalhousie Family Medicine Clinic on Mumford Road, just down a flight of stairs from ISANS offices, said Graeme Kohler, Health Services Manager, Capital Health. "So we'll have a waiting room for them to come in and sit down and wait, and then they'll go and get seen in a true exam room that well furnished with all the up-to-date medical supplies," said Kohler, according to CBC. About 200 refugees arrive each year As part of Canada humanitarian commitment the province has about 200 refugees arriving each year. Capital Health is in the process of hiring a nurse to work with incoming refugees 1.5 days a week and doctors working with the refugee health program will soon have a space in a clinic to examine patients. Many come from refugee camps or other potentially violent situations, said Mills. "They've had little or often no access to health services in that time and although they've been screened before they actually arrive in Canada they come here needing some catch-up," she said. Some arrive with undiagnosed chronic conditions, lack of medication for ailments such as heart conditions or diabetes. Many enter the country needing vaccinations, mental health and oral health care needs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.