‘We trusted the system to save her’: Manitoba woman’s family
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Family says mom died waiting for life-saving surgery; health coalition says lack of funding to blame
“There is a desperate need for radical honesty in our health-care system,” said Colleen Dyck, the daughter of Debbie Fewster, who died waiting for heart surgery. “Unfortunately, due to insufficient funding, the system is falling short of this goal (of the Canada Health Act guarantee for universal, publicly-funded health care to all Canadians) . . . The health-care system must be improved to ensure that all Manitobans receive quality, adequate care when they need it,” said Molly McCracken, acting spokesperson for the Manitoba Health Coalition, in an email to Winnipeg Free Press, March 12, 2025.
Carney pledges support for health, dental, pharmacare: hold him to it
“We know that we cannot build a better future if we can’t manage the present. So, when we’re fighting for a strong economy, we’re fighting for: Good Canadian health care for everyone; strong support for our seniors, who built this country; childcare for young, hardworking families; dental care and pharmacare for everyone who needs it. We’re fighting for a strong economy, so we can create a more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren, and we will deliver,” said Mark Carney, in his speech after winning the federal Liberal leadership election, CTV News, March 9, 2025. (Note: advocates are concerned that Carney’s words “for everyone who needs it” run contrary to the goal of universality for pharmacare. Stay tuned.)
The shape of healthcare in NWT
“Things are, broadly speaking, challenging for all involved in the healthcare system. … There’s a looming crisis in primary care across the country. … It’s also difficult to compare, I think, between provinces and territories on a really broad scale… I wouldn’t say that it’s necessarily significantly worse here,” said Dr Sarah Cook, a member of the NWT Medical Association’s board, adding that work can be done to explore ways physicians can work differently, or ways teams can work together better in an interdisciplinary setting, Cabin Radio, March 12, 2025.
He works as a welder, but he’s really a doctor – in Ukraine
“I am very thankful for Canada’s government and Canadians for the possibility to live in a safe place and for the support after arriving in Canada. . . The human body is the same in Canada, Europe, or Asia. Health-care systems and languages are different, and it does not take too much time to learn them,” said Dr. Oleksandr (Alex) Martsiv, who spent 15 years practising in Ukraine, and is now welding to save for licensing fees in Canada, Yukon News, March 18, 2025.
Protect medical supplies from counter-tariffs
“We do stand with the government, you know, that U.S. tariffs cannot go unanswered. However, health care must be protected . . .We are looking for exemption of health-care products from any retaliatory tariffs. This will be very important to protect supply chain stability and prevent any kind of cost escalation,” said Christine Donaldson, president and CEO of HealthPRO Canada, which purchases medications, supplies and equipment for more than 2,000 hospitals, health-care facilities and long-term care homes across Canada, CTV News/Canadian Press, March 13, 2025.
Five years later, Canada gets poor grade for vaccine response during COVID
“I think Canada actually had one of the worst records in the world in terms of how many extra surplus vaccines we ordered in advance, given the size of our population . . .I think it really hurt our reputation, our credibility at time, and led Canada to lose a lot of its soft power, as did other Western countries who responded similarly,” said Sanjay Ruparelia, associate professor of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, Winnipeg Free Press/Canadian Press, March 11, 2025.
StatsCanada say seniors make up 7% of cannabis users
“What we often worry about, especially in complex older adults, is risk of falling, which can be increased by sedation, imbalance, numbness, worsening cognition and mental health effects (paranoia, delirium, anxiety) …. All of these examples are not uncommon side effects associated with cannabis use. . .We also know little about drug interactions with cannabis . . .Understand that more is usually not better, and If you are using cannabis products, don’t keep it from your health-care providers, let them know,” said Dr. Jamison Falk, associate professor at the University of Manitoba College of Pharmacy, Winnipeg Free Press, March 14, 2025.
BC Human Rights Tribunal hears complaint that people on methadone must choose between rent, food and clinic fees
“We want the clinics to continue to offer these services. They’re good services and they tend to work. They just want to transfer costs from the patients to the public health-care system where those costs belong,” said Vancouver lawyer Jason Gratl, on behalf of the BC Association of People on Opioid Maintenance, to The Tyee, March 12, 2025.
Measles exposure at a Montreal Canadiens’ game; city lowest vax rate in Quebec
“The unifying theme for all of these places as to why measles is causing outbreaks or is out of control is very simple: low vaccination rates,” said Dr. Donald Vinh, infectious disease specialist at McGill University Health Centre, CBC/RadioCanada, March 11, 2025.
Newfoundland-Labrador need docs to stay: Incentive programs ok, but numbers below 2022
“You can recruit people. You need to make sure that when they come and they work … they’re going to stay . . . you can get someone for two years and you can give them a big bonus for coming, but will you be able to get them to stay?” said Dr. Steve Major, president NL Medical Association, to CBC News, March 18, 2025.
For-profit Telemedicine company used journalist’s words inappropriately for sales
“In a social media video posted by (Ozempic seller) Livewell, video clips from my original investigation are taken out of context to appear as if they’re an endorsement for the company. They are interspersed with a testimonial by a social media influencer gushing about how easy it was to get a prescription. . . Doctors and drug safety experts said what happened made a mockery of virtual care, which can be a vital tool in delivering health care to those in remote areas or with limited mobility. Whether it’s done in-person or remotely, a doctor or nurse practitioner should only prescribe medication once they’ve established doing so is safe and necessary. That means doing a clinical assessment, considering the risks and benefits, and making a diagnosis,” said Investigative reporter Morgan Sevareid-Bocknek, in The Toronto Star, March 15, 2025.
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