Ontario is home to more than 300,000 international students, but many of them face a hidden health crisis.
These students, who contribute over $37.3 billion annually to Canada’s economy, often lack access to provincial health insurance plans like the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and instead rely on private insurance that may not meet their healthcare needs.
Healthcare for international students is costly and limited. They must buy private insurance or use school plans that cover the basics. However, these plans often exclude specialists, tests, and mental health care, leaving students with ongoing health issues facing heavy financial strain.
This is unfair and needs to change. International students help Canada’s economy and culture but don’t have proper healthcare. Their health and success are at risk without OHIP or good private coverage. Ontario should make their health a priority to stay a top choice for students.
At Humber Polytechnic, international students are automatically enrolled in the college’s health insurance plan, administered by Morcare. The plan covers facilities like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and some emergencies.
“I skipped a follow-up appointment for a minor injury because the consultation was too expensive and can not be claimed by the college insurance,” said Daksh Patel, a student of event management at the Humber Lakeshore campus.
Patel said many students face similar challenges, delaying or avoiding care due to high costs.
Mahi Lad, an international student at Conestoga College, said the college’s plan, managed by Securian Canada, includes psychiatric care, therapy, and emergency transport, with pre-approval for certain treatments.
“Knowing that my insurance covers psychiatric care and maternity services gives me peace of mind. It’s one less thing to worry about while being far from home,” she said.
It’s wrong that a student’s access to healthcare depends on their school. Healthcare should be a basic right for all students, not based on privilege.
This shows how some schools provide better insurance for international students, while others, don't offer enough important services. This makes it harder for students to get the care they need.
Dev Ramanandi, a Behavioural Science student at Humber Lakeshore campus, said private insurance helps but isn’t perfect.
“My college plan paid part of my dental surgery, but I had to pay $800 first and wait weeks to get it back,” he said.
Krupa Bhatt, an international student consultant based in Kitchener, Ont., said the lack of healthcare access for international students is a public health concern. Untreated conditions can worsen, affecting their academics, social life, and well-being.
"Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege based on residency status," Bhatt said. "International students contribute so much to our community, and their well-being should be prioritized."
Bhatt’s point is clear. International students aren’t tourists, they live, study, and contribute to Canada in many ways. Denying them OHIP shows their health isn’t valued, which goes against Canada’s values of fairness and equality.
Humber business student Krishna Rabari said the college supports international students with workshops and resources to understand their health coverage and access services.
“But these are temporary solutions to a larger problem,” Rabari said.
Bhatt said as Ontario attracts more international students, the need for better healthcare grows. Including them in OHIP would improve health outcomes and create a fairer educational system, she said.
Giving international students access to OHIP is practical. Healthy students mean less strain on emergency rooms and fewer expensive health problems. Ontario should value these students and offer them the same care as residents.
Bhatt said students manage with limited resources and there is a need for awareness and change to ensure all students can access proper care.
She said that as more international students come to Ontario, it's clear that better healthcare is essential.
Students like Patel are trying to focus on their studies while dealing with limited healthcare, and it affects them every day.
"We come here to learn, contribute, and grow," Patel said. "All we want is the chance to take care of our health while doing so."
International students deserve proper care. In Europe, for example, international students can purchase access to a national health insurance plan. Ontario must close the healthcare gap and support them. Their health should be a priority.
