The Joe Biden White House eventually imported tens of thousands of pounds of baby formula from Europe to attempt to alleviate the shortage, and officials hoped that Abbott’s return in early June would further help restore the supply chain.īut the catastrophic rains a couple of weeks later put a damper on those hopes.Įven with Saturday’s news it was unclear when US store shelves might be once again packed with baby formula.Ībbott’s production woes have hit poorer families hardest because it provides formula to about half the infants who receive benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or Wic, which primarily aids low-income women and their children.Ībout half the infants who receive Wic benefits get their formula from Abbott, one of just four companies that produces about 90% of US baby formula. The shutdown and an accompanying recall of several baby formula brands caused supply chain disruption resulting in a nationwide shortage. The plant suspended production of Similac and other brands in February, when the FDA investigation found contamination in the wake of four bacterial infections among infants who were fed powdered formula from the facility. Koval added that the plant was working to restart production of the leading brand Similac “as soon as we can”. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.But on 1 July, the plant had restarted production of EleCare, a specialty formula for infants with severe digestive problems and food allergies, Abbott spokesman John Koval told the Associated Press on Saturday. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. More news, fewer ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. Read Part 1: The doctors crisis: The problem is, family doctors can make far more doing something else This feature was produced through the Fellowship. I want to thank Canada for letting me be a Canadian.”Ĭlaire Wilson and Nicolette Colosimo are 2022 recipients of the Langara College Read-Mercer Journalism Fellowship. “I want to live in Canada, I want to serve the people. Meanwhile, he has been driving for Uber and working as a security guard to make ends meet while he awaits a residency - and his family. “There’s a number of people in the medical profession who feel it’s unethical to bring international medical graduates to Canada because the country that paid for their education costs, they should be staying … and practising there,” said Emery, who heads the Atlantic Institute for Policy Research at the University of New Brunswick.īhalla is willing to work in any province, the Northwest Territories, and any underserved area. Herbert Emery, an economist and adviser to federal and provincial policymakers, says that international medical graduates are a contentious topic. “The really heartbreaking thing is how they’re marginalized and how they’re referred to as inferior, unaccredited and unsafe.” “Some of these immigrant physicians are just amazing in terms of qualifications, and there they are, sitting on the shelf,” Pawliuk said. There are an estimated 5,000 foreign-trained doctors in B.C., both Canadian citizens and immigrant physicians, who have done everything required to have their credentials recognized and demonstrate they have the knowledge and skills in order to gain a residency position. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Once I come here, I’m a Canadian, right? So, why would I be treated as a foreigner?” And this product will be available on retail shelves and online soon. “The government wants me as a doctor, but I think it’s the licensing authorities, they’re the ones who are grading, so they’re creating a hurdle,” Bhalla said. We know that the recall has worsened the industry-wide infant formula shortage. Of 3,000 residency positions offered each year, only about 10 per cent are for international applicants.Īmit Bhalla is an international medical graduate awaiting a residency in B.C. is facing a crisis in health-care due to doctor shortages, Bhalla has not been able to secure a residency position, essential to qualify as a B.C. Since arriving in 2017, he has written and passed his Medical Council of Canada qualifying exam.Īt a time when B.C. Manage Print Subscription / Tax ReceiptĪ foreign-trained doctor currently waiting to take his oath to become a Canadian citizen, Bhalla was granted admission to Canada based on a number of qualifying factors, including experience, education and English proficiency.Vancouver Sun Run: Sign up & event info.
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