New program helps Calgary newcomers access health services

Arriving in a new country can be hard enough, but trying to navigate the medical system as a newcomer can be almost impossible without help.

A new initiative will aim to help newcomer families access health care as they integrate into their new communities.

Immigrant Services Calgary and London Drugs have launched “Welcome Well.”

It’s a program that links new Canadians with pertinent information and health professionals so they know how to properly navigate the system.

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“This is a great resource that we can let families know they can come here if you have questions about medication or care or if there’s a language barrier,” Rebeca Andrada with Immigrant Services Calgary said.

“I think overall it’s going to improve the service delivery for our health services in Alberta and it’s a great resource for (newcomers) to access.”

Part of the program is explaining to new Canadians that not every medical concern requires a trip to the clinic or hospital.

That’s where London Drugs comes in: the stores want to explain what pharmacy employees can do for those with minor concerns.

“We understand the challenges of newcomers coming to Canada and not being able to find a family doctor,” manager of pharmacy operations Thomas Nguyen said. “With that, there could be a lot of gaps in their health care.”

“So we’re here to show them what we can provide as pharmacists to help with bridging that gap.”

“Now they’re probably going to be more comfortable coming here to ask questions and it’s just great to see that level of comfort,” Andrada added.

Bangladeshi import MD Juel Parvez attended Tuesday’s inaugural Welcome Well event at a Brentwood London Drugs.

He told CTV News his young family has had difficulty understanding the differences in Canada’s system since they came over.

“We didn’t know when to go, who to see (or) where should we go,” Parvez said. “These types of things are very challenging.

“Today was exciting.”