Medical surveillance 2.02
- Thread starter pawal3
- Start date
It has not been the nicest experience. No one seems to know what the medical surveillance is about. I called over 20 public health phone numbers within my province but I just kept being redirected to a different officer who had no idea what I was supposed to do.
When the 30 days were almost up, I started going to random walk-in clinics and TB centers to see if they had any idea. IRCC was not taking calls either. Of the 10 clinics I visited, only one physician remotely understood what was required, but said an additional form may be needed because he didn't know where to send the information to even if he examined me.
I emailed my VO and they said once they issued my visa, their business with me ended (or something along those lines). They said to contact my provincial health center instead. This time, I decided to go to the IRCC office near me. Another roadblock. They said they had no idea either and could do nothing because my visa came from another VO (within the province). The program assistant I spoke to calmed me down and said as long as I sent a lengthy email about my inability to find next steps, then I can't be held responsible if the 30 days lapses. I wasn't convinced and kept calling the city and provincial health lines. I finally found a dedicated TB email for my city (they do not have a direct phone line and they can only be reached via the general city public health line. I got the email address from the confusing voicemail prompt. I don't think anyone is assigned to take calls because they never do).
I sent the email and hoped to get a response. I got the automatic response that said they'd reach out within 2 business days. They never did. I finally got an email about two weeks after (my 30 days had passed by then) saying they have a 6 month back log and the 9-man nursing team has been reduced to 1 nurse for TB surveillance. They also said they had not yet received my referral form from IRCC (I had included the Immigration form in my email to them so I am guessing this referral form is something else). They instructed me to contact IRCC for the referral and included a contact email. I replied both email addresses and asked for further directions. It has been an awful experience to say the least. But I know I explored every avenue to get information. I still do not know what I am supposed to do. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
When the 30 days were almost up, I started going to random walk-in clinics and TB centers to see if they had any idea. IRCC was not taking calls either. Of the 10 clinics I visited, only one physician remotely understood what was required, but said an additional form may be needed because he didn't know where to send the information to even if he examined me.
I emailed my VO and they said once they issued my visa, their business with me ended (or something along those lines). They said to contact my provincial health center instead. This time, I decided to go to the IRCC office near me. Another roadblock. They said they had no idea either and could do nothing because my visa came from another VO (within the province). The program assistant I spoke to calmed me down and said as long as I sent a lengthy email about my inability to find next steps, then I can't be held responsible if the 30 days lapses. I wasn't convinced and kept calling the city and provincial health lines. I finally found a dedicated TB email for my city (they do not have a direct phone line and they can only be reached via the general city public health line. I got the email address from the confusing voicemail prompt. I don't think anyone is assigned to take calls because they never do).
I sent the email and hoped to get a response. I got the automatic response that said they'd reach out within 2 business days. They never did. I finally got an email about two weeks after (my 30 days had passed by then) saying they have a 6 month back log and the 9-man nursing team has been reduced to 1 nurse for TB surveillance. They also said they had not yet received my referral form from IRCC (I had included the Immigration form in my email to them so I am guessing this referral form is something else). They instructed me to contact IRCC for the referral and included a contact email. I replied both email addresses and asked for further directions. It has been an awful experience to say the least. But I know I explored every avenue to get information. I still do not know what I am supposed to do. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Public health is extremely stretched since almost everyone has been reallocated to deal with covid. There is no point in going to random clinics in Canada or your family doctor. They will be unaware of what is required when it comes to medical surveillance. What will be required also varies based on what condition or potential condition is being monitored. Although frustrating as long as you keep a record of your attempts to contact you will be fine and public health dealing with covid is a more important use of public health resources at the moment,