After Months in Pain, These Patients Paid Thousands for Surgery Outside of B.C.

 

  

Photo By: Baneet Braich/CBC

 The article “After months in pain, these patients paid thousands for surgery outside of B.C.” by the CBC News highlights the issues that the Canadian Healthcare system is facing due to the extinguishing circumstances induced by the pandemic and natural disasters. The article exemplifies the gaps in our healthcare system by highlighting the stories of two Canadians, Joy and Lauren, who were both forced to go abroad for surgeries due to the unfathomably long wait times for non-emergency surgeries. “Joy was put on a referral list in November to see the first available surgeon, and was then told in February he would have to wait up to 18 months for surgery in B.C. to treat the osteoarthritis at the base of the toe.” (www.cbc.ca) The article mentions that Canada’s healthcare system is failing its people, as more and more Canadians are willing to pay thousands of dollars to get surgery quickly. As stated by Dr. Sarah Jurek, an orthopedic surgeon in Seattle: “I never had a Canadian patient before and I've had three [in the past eight months],” (www.cbc.ca) The reason behind this problem is that surgeries are not classified as life-threatening do not get prioritized even though they cause a lot of pain and discomfort for the patients. This negatively affects the patients physically and can have a lasting impact on the patients’ mental health. 

                                             Photo By: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock)

Although I am unhappy with the current state of the healthcare system, I understand how difficult it is to tackle this issue. In the past few years, Canada has faced numerous disastrous events that have taken a toll on the healthcare system and frontline workers, “the pandemic and natural disasters, namely B.C.'s floods and wildfires, have also exacerbated staff shortages.” (www.cbc.ca) The solution to such a vast and multi-faceted problem as this one is not easy to find. The recovery and improvement of the Canadian healthcare system requires time and hardwood from cities and provinces all over Canada, “The province says it's aware of the long waits and that it is trying to address the problem by opening new operating rooms and hiring more staff, including surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologists.” (www.cbc.ca) I believe that even though the healthcare system in Canada is facing challenges, it is important to not overlook the good it is doing as well. The issue is not necessary with the system itself, instead, the problem is related to the high demand for care that has sparked over the past few years. I believe that with time, the Canadian healthcare system will recover and regain its ability to help more people. 

Sources: 

After months in pain, these patients paid thousands for surgery outside of B.C.

By Baneet Braich

May 8, 2022

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/long-wait-times-bc-surgery-abroad-1.6445382