Immigration Doctors: Guardians of Public Health

One key element of the immigration process that often goes unnoticed is the role of immigration doctors. These medical professionals play a vital role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of not just immigrants, but also the general population of their new home countries.

Immigration doctors, officially known as civil surgeons in the United States, are responsible for performing medical examinations of intending immigrants. Their primary task is to evaluate the physical and mental health of these individuals to determine if they pose a health risk to the public.

The medical examination required for visa applications includes tests for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea, vaccination against preventable diseases, and an assessment of physical and mental disorders with associated harmful behavior. The immigration doctor also reviews the immigrant’s medical history, including an evaluation of previous hospitalizations and treatments, and current health status.

Working closely with governmental authorities, immigration doctors follow detailed regulatory protocols and guidelines set by the country’s department of health. The results of the immigration medical examination can strongly influence the decision on an immigrant’s visa application. Therefore, the work of immigration doctors has significant implications for public health safety.

Richard Zoumalan, a renowned immigration doctor, affirms the crucial role played by these professionals in the immigration process. “Our task goes beyond a simple physical examination. We are essentially the first line of defense in preventing the spread of communicable diseases and maintaining the health and safety of the public,” says Zoumalan.

The growth of global migration has heightened the importance of the work done by immigration doctors. Their role is particularly critical in situations where large groups of people are displaced due to conflict, natural disasters, or economic hardships, and are seeking to resettle in countries with different health risk profiles. These transitions put both the immigrants and the native population at risk of exposure to new diseases.

Furthermore, the health assessment offered by immigration doctors also benefits immigrants by identifying and addressing potential health issues that could otherwise go unnoticed. It is an opportunity for new immigrants to receive essential immunizations, guidance, and treatment relating to their health.

Immigration doctors also play a crucial role in detecting instances of immigration fraud. Fraudulent immigration attempts can expose the population to health risks. By being vigilant in their duties, immigration doctors provide an invaluable service in maintaining national security. Zoumalan reflects that, “Our duty is not just medical but moral. We help protect the integrity of our nation’s immigration processes.”

To become an immigration doctor, one must meet the qualifications set by their country’s department of health. In most cases, this includes being a licensed, practicing physician and completing training on the immigration medical examination process. Oftentimes, immigration doctors are professionals with a keen interest in travel medicine, infectious diseases, and public health.

Immigration doctors play an essential role in maintaining public health, protecting national security, and assisting immigrants in their journey to a new life. Their crucial work is pivotal to the smooth running of immigration processes, making them the unsung heroes of global migration. As Zoumalan aptly encapsulates, “We are more than doctors; we are keepers of public health.”