Town hospital at risk in immigration battle
Richard Warnica, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Tuesday, May 30, 2006
EDMONTON - An eastern Alberta town could be forced to temporarily shutter its hospital this summer if a doctor fed up with Canada's immigration system decides to go home.
Dr. Andre Louw has been in Canada for six years, but he still can't get status as a landed immigrant. If his case isn't resolved soon, he says, he'll return to South Africa -- leaving Vermilion with just one family doctor.
And if Louw leaves, the town, which is already short at least three doctors, will be forced to close its hospital, at least until a replacement is found, said Dr. Odell Olson, vice-president of medical services for the East Central Health region.
"It's a critical shortage (of doctors) now," Olson said. "If Dr. Louw leaves, it's past critical."
Town hospital at risk in immigration battle
Published: Tuesday, May 30, 2006
EDMONTON - An eastern Alberta town could be forced to temporarily shutter its hospital this summer if a doctor fed up with Canada's immigration system decides to go home.
Dr. Andre Louw has been in Canada for six years, but he still can't get status as a landed immigrant. If his case isn't resolved soon, he says, he'll return to South Africa -- leaving Vermilion with just one family doctor.
And if Louw leaves, the town, which is already short at least three doctors, will be forced to close its hospital, at least until a replacement is found, said Dr. Odell Olson, vice-president of medical services for the East Central Health region.
"It's a critical shortage (of doctors) now," Olson said. "If Dr. Louw leaves, it's past critical."
Town hospital at risk in immigration battle
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