Racism in Canadian Medical System

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Why discrimination in medical facilities in Canada meted on certain individuals
Effects of systemic racism on the patient health and population
What should be done to end racism in Canadian medical facility
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Health care workers know they must support patients who seek medical services from their facilities with respect and compassion. For most patients seeking medical care in Canada’s medical facilities, this appears not to be the case. For instance, Joyce Echaquan, 37, who is deceased now, experienced systemic racism before she met her untimely death in a Quebec hospital. The mother of seven was an indigenous person in Atikamekw and was admitted to Joliette hospital in Que. Despite being on the verge of death as she lay on her bed, the hospital staff was recorded hurling slurs and racist insults at her. The video, which was later posted on the social network Facebook, and shared worldwide, was recorded by Joyce before her death (Laframboise, 2021). The treatment of Joyce was unethical by the medical staff in the Canadian medical facility. Therefore, despite the outcry likely to be witnessed on social networks, Canadian authorities should also seek alternative methods to prevent a repeat of the same incident within their facilities. It is evident the Canadian medical system is infected with racism, and there is a need to eradicate the vise in an attempt to improve it.

Why discrimination in medical facilities in Canada meted on certain individuals

Medical practitioners have taken oaths to treat all patients equally. In Canadian medical facilities, this is not the case since indigenous women are lured into sterilization. At the same time, their male counterparts have been ignored and left suffering in the emergency dockets leading to their death in some tragic instances (Boyer, 2017). Looking at Joyce’s case, it is an action exhibited by the medical staff which is labeled, assumed, and related to racism or discrimination. The treatment of Joyce in the Joliette hospital in Que by the staff is attributed to the fact she was an indigenous woman in Canada (Laframboise, 2021). Therefore, according to the council, Joyce was justifiable to be subjected to violence, hatred, and discrimination.

Manawan Atikamekw Council’s response clearly shows discrimination and racism in the medical facility in Canada in-built from the societal practices. The difference in the treatment of indigenous and non-indigenous individuals in Canada is a result of racism in the medical facility (Laframboise, 2021). Indigenous people refer to individuals falling within the ‘First People’ whose ancestors had lived on the land called Canada before the colonization era (LeyLand et al., 2016). The term indigenous is helpful when the self-determining technique of establishing the category of individuals who possess experiences regarding the medical facilities-linked frustration meted by the health staff is performed. The technique will reflect patients who have suffered and lost their lives because of systemic racism in Canada’s medical facilities (LeyLand et al., 2016). Societal beliefs seem to gravitate toward the issue of racism in medical facilities since there exists a differential treatment of individuals due to certain beliefs exhibited within Canada.

Effects of systemic racism on the patient health and population

Racism refers to an individual’s negative experience after being discriminated against at a personal level in their lives. Similarly, systemic racism is a form of discrimination that is founded on normal practices within a given institution or society (LeyLand et al., 2016). In Joyce’s case, systematic racism is evident at the Joliette hospital in Que since she was victimized at the facility because of her indigenous origin (Laframboise, 2021). If Joyce had been given proper attention by the staff who recorded slurring her, she could have probably managed to get better. Sadly, as a result of racism in the medical facility, Joyce lost her life.

The definition of an indigenous person is linked to the colonization era. Canada’s history of racism started during the times of colonialization when indigenous persons were seriously victimized (El-Mowafi et al., 2021). The colonial formulated policies in Canada have made it mandatory for schools to be residential, indigenous ceremonies and gatherings have been prohibited, and communities have been presided over by discriminative health practices leading to a lasting and problematic intergenerational medical practice (Laframboise, 2021). The brave recording by Joyce of the staff racially abusing her provides the basis for change in the Canadian medical facilities to prevent more harmful experiences and deaths of the indigenous people (McCallum et al., 2020). The federal government acted as they engage different stakeholders in dialogue to determine the best solution to the problem as the medical facility in Canada is concerned. The colonial policies should be scraped to ensure equity in the medical care of Canada.

What should be done to end racism in Canadian medical facility

Canada can overcome systemic racism in medical facilities by adopting necessary strategies to fight the vice. Joyce’s death prompted Canada’s federal government to respond and act on the pleas of the community and the deceased family to address the menace ravaging and prevent the adherence to unethical medical care practices (McCallum et al., 2020). The federal government aimed at preventing the misery and loss of life witnessed among indigenous people such as Joyce by establishing the best remedies through dialogue. They believed systemic racism would only be eradicated through dialogue since the appropriate measures and plans regarding the health care services will be formulated and prevent disadvantaging any particular group of persons (Laframboise, 2021). Dialogue provides the best form of formulating policies for all stakeholders involved in health care services.

The racism meted out on the indigenous people can be overcome by the Canadian government. Canada’s medical facilities fail in their mandate to deliver health care services the indigenous patients (Boyer, 2017). Canada’s government needs to plan, understand, create, and cater to indigenous persons who suffer due to racism when seeking health care services in medical facilities (Datta, Siddiqi & Lofters, 2021). The action taken by the Manawan Atikamekw Council to file a petition with the United Nations demanding investigation of systemic racism will provide a good platform for changing the discriminatory policies of the indigenous persons. The petition has yielded fruits since the provincial government has taken steps to have retribution with the indigenous discriminated persons in the medical facilities, therefore, acknowledging racism among them (Laframboise, 2021). The creation of accommodative policies and an atmosphere for all persons will foresee the eradication of systemic racism in medical facilities.

Conclusion

Canada’s health care services need reforms since it is discriminating against the indigenous communities seeking medical care. The negligence arising from the dehumanizing colonial policies has led to problems in the health of the indigenous persons. For instance, they are frustrated when they seek health care services and are mocked by the staff instead of getting assistance from them. Joyce lost her life simply because she was an indigenous woman. The push for dialogue among different stakeholders within Canada, together with the federal and provincial governments, should be hastened to ensure the indigenous people’s needs are addressed with urgency. The government should also formulate and implement policies that strive to provide equality in medical facilities among other social institutions.

References

Boyer, Y. (2017). Healing racism in Canadian health care.Canadian Medical Association Journal, 189(46), E1408-E1409.

Datta, G., Siddiqi, A., & Lofters, A. (2021). Transforming race-based health research in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 193(3), E99-E100.

El-Mowafi et al., I. M., Yalahow, A., Idriss-Wheeler, D., & Yaya, S. (2021). The politest form of racism: Sexual and reproductive health and rights paradigm in Canada. Reproductive Health, 18(1), 1-5.

Laframboise, K. (2021). Joyce Echaquan’s death prompts Manawan Atikamekw council to turn to United Nations. Global News.

LeyLand, A., Smylie, J., Cole, M., Kitty, D., Crowshoe, L., & McKinney, V. et al. (2016). Health and health care implications of systemic racism on indigenous peoples in Canada. Portal.cfpc.ca. Web.

McCallum et al., M. L., Canoe, C. B., Lavoie, J., & Brown, A. (2020). Opinion | 6 months after Joyce Echaquan’s death, federal response to racism in health-care system remains tepid | CBC news. CBC.

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