TORONTO – A coalition of primary care providers and community organizations in North York has inaugurated a pioneering walk-in sexual health clinic to serve uninsured residents. The clinic aims to offer accessible and essential services, including low-barrier cervical cancer screenings.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular testing for cell changes as part of the province’s cancer screening program, but unfortunately, not everyone has access to this life-saving service,” said Dr. Jasleen Kaur Grewal from the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre (IWHC). “As a sexual health and reproductive health clinic based in downtown Toronto, we were pleased to collaborate with North York Toronto Health Partners (NYTHP) to extend our services to another high-need community.”
Cervical cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer among women aged 20 to 44 in Ontario. Provincial data reveals that immigrant and Indigenous women have lower rates of cervical cancer screening compared to other groups, underscoring a significant health equity issue.
Last month, NYTHP hosted a community health event at Unison Health and Community Services’ Bathurst-Finch Hub. The event featured a range of critical services including on-site Pap tests, birth control counselling and prescriptions, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STI) counselling, testing, and treatment.
Michelle Joseph, CEO of Unison Health and Community Services, emphasized the comprehensive nature of their offerings. “Unison Health and Community Services provides extensive primary care and support services, including cervical cancer screening. Our interprofessional and client-centered services aim to connect individuals with the resources that best suit their needs, reducing barriers associated with the social determinants of health.”
Clinic attendee Mastaneh expressed her gratitude: “It was a light in my heart to have this appointment. My husband and I have been in Canada for one year waiting for our work permits, and still do not have access to regular care. We are both over 50 and have been told that we need to have blood pressure checks and cancer screenings on a regular basis. I am really happy that this service exists, and it gives me confidence for the future.”
These events increasingly cater to uninsured immigrant women, many of whom are pregnant or have young children. Dr. Rebecca Stoller, Co-Chair of NYTHP’s Primary Care Network, highlighted the importance of these initiatives. “Primary care is central to our Community Health and Information Fairs (CHIFs). One of our goals is to provide easy access to Pap tests for our communities, including those without access to a primary care provider, in a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive environment.”
The CHIFs, initiated in 2022, aim to enhance community access to healthcare and support resources. They were developed in response to community feedback that highlighted the urgent need for accessible health information and services.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in making essential health services available to all residents, regardless of their insurance status, and demonstrates a strong community commitment to equitable healthcare access.
For more information about upcoming health events or to learn about the services provided, visit the North York Toronto Health Partners website or contact Unison Health and Community Services directly.
SOURCE North York General Hospital
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