Canadian Medical Association Demands Action to Revitalize Healthcare

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is urging the federal government to take urgent action to address the growing challenges facing Canada’s healthcare system. This appeal follows a recent meeting of federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers, where key issues were discussed but left unresolved.

During the meeting, topics such as access to medications, the licensing process for internationally trained medical professionals, and the expansion of mental health and addiction services were prioritized. Additionally, discussions included the modernization of healthcare data and strategies to combat global public health threats, including measles outbreaks. Yet, the CMA criticized the meeting for lacking concrete action plans.

Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the CMA, emphasized the need for increased funding for primary care teams. She stated, “We would like to see a provincial memorandum of understanding to help with physician mobility to cross the provinces. We were hoping they would come out with that.” Burnell highlighted the importance of creating a streamlined pathway for immigration for internationally trained doctors, especially given the chronic shortage of family physicians across Canada. Currently, hundreds of thousands of Canadians lack access to a family doctor.

Burnell pointed to successful models from other countries, noting, “We know from models in the States and Australia that by having a multi-jurisdictional licensure pathway, you increase access by about ten to fifteen percent.” This comment underscores the potential benefits of reforming licensing processes to alleviate the healthcare workforce crisis.

The CMA president expressed disappointment regarding the absence of discussions on a coordinated immunization program. “We know that vaccinations save lives, so that’s very important. We’ve seen the measles outbreak, we’ve seen loss of lives from that, so that really is a very important public health concern and would have hoped that that would have been discussed at this meeting,” Burnell added.

A recent publication addressing Canada’s future health workforce highlights the urgent need for reform. The report indicates that the country requires an additional 23,000 family physicians, representing a 49-percent increase from current levels. Furthermore, the study reveals a need for 14,000 more licensed nurses and 28,000 registered nurses, alongside increased numbers of nurse practitioners and occupational therapists.

These findings point to a critical moment for Canada’s healthcare system, as the demand for medical professionals continues to rise. The CMA’s call for action reflects a broader concern about the sustainability of healthcare services in the country and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure Canadians receive the care they need.