Health Care 911: The Plight of Immigrant Medical Doctors

Our health care system might just be the sickest of them all.

Artizan Artizan Productions Inc. is pleased to announce the world premiere of Health Care 911: The Plight of Immigrant Medical Doctors. This prolific and eye opening documentary was directed by Jiyar Gol and produced by Erin Mussolum & Michelle Welygan, who were also behind the award-winning Global Television documentary "Queens of Diamonds." Health Care 911 will have its world premiere on Global Television on September 30, 2006 at 7:00pm PT/ET.

It's not a secret that Canada is in a health care crisis. With more and more health care layoffs, closed clinics and wards, and hospital overcrowdings, Canada is falling fast from its reputation as one of the best health care systems in the world - the public, in turn, is suffering.

Hiding in our cities is part of the solution - immigrant medical doctors ready and willing to work. Some boasting years and years of specialization and practice in foreign countries, they are now frustratingly filling menial minimum wage jobs instead of the role of doctors.

In Canada, alone, there are over 5,000-8,000 immigrant medical doctors fighting over only a few select residencies. Only those doctors from a privileged group of countries have their credentials recognized on par with Canada - the rest must re-train and then battle it out with others to secure a residency.

Artizan Set against the backdrop of Canada's ailing health care system, Health Care 911 uncovers several of these foreign trained medical doctors trying desperately to get their credentials recognized and begin work in Canada as doctors. Told through the eyes of immigrant filmmaker Jiyar Gol, Jiyar goes head to head with the College of Physicians and Surgeons and BC's Minister of Health looking for answers.

Director Jiyar Gol says, "Like most Canadians I thought we had the best health care system in the world. In the course of making this film I realized that I was incorrect, that's why I think everyone should see this documentary."

"I think a lot of Canadians will be outraged when they see this documentary and there will be a call for change in the system," says Producer Michelle Welygan.

"It astounds me to think that there are so many foreign trained doctors, ready and willing to work, but because of so much red tape they aren't allowed…it's truly scary," says Producer Erin Mussolum.

Artizan Among the doctors profiled viewers will meet Dr. Pervaiz Ahmed a GP from Pakistan who now sadly supports his wife and two children by working as a security guard. Dr. Alfredo Tura from Italy who came to Canada only to work as a nurse for ten years before obtaining a residency and Dr. Rafet Jhameel from Iraq who volunteers his time in a clinic because he isn't allowed to work. Dr. Rafet Jhameel argues that Canada is racist when it comes to high income professions.