Q & A: MEDICAL EXAMINATION/ASSESSMENT

Question: One of my friend is going to apply for PR. He has done an open heart surgery (bypass) three years ago. He is 40 years old and engineer. However, he is doing well and does NOT have health problem anymore. The question is that:

1. Could he get his PR if he applies regarding his heart surgery?
2. Is his heart surgery a big problem in PR process?
3. Does anybody has had such a similar case and gone through PR process?

Answer: The surgery itself would not likely be the concern in the evaluation of his medical status. Rather, the condition which resulted is such surgery would be a major consideration. Although there are
numerous classifications of heart disease which may have resulted in such surgery, with even more
numerous suggested medical assessments in the Medical Officer's Handbook given the possible outcomes of such surgery (ranging from M3 to M7), the final determination will come down to the prospect of undue financial burden to the Canadian health care and social services systems, as his condition is unlikely to cause a threat to the safety of Canada's public health.

In a recent case in which the applicant had received a liver transplant an approximately equal number of years back, our office provided the reports of specialists, including history and prognosis, at the onset of
the application. Unfortunately the outcome of this case is not yet available for discussion.