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British Columbia
VANCOUVER
— Thank
you, stranger BC is gearing up to become the
first province in Canada to perform kidney transplants
from anonymous donors. Patients requiring a transplant
used to only be allowed organs from friends or families.
But a study done last year by the BC Transplant Society,
which found that nearly one third of British Columbians
would be willing to donate a kidney to a complete stranger,
has provoked them to change their policies. Hospitals
could start performing anonymous kidney transplants
within two months. PB
ABBOTSFORD
— This
goose is cooked The discovery of a new H5 strain
of avian flu prompted the closure of an Abbotsford school
for a week. The BC Centre for Disease Control says the
strain, discovered while testing geese and ducks, is
different from the H7 virus blamed for the slaughter
of 19 million chickens and turkeys in the Fraser Valley.
Although scientists say there are many H5 strains, they
haven't ruled out the possibility that this is the type
responsible for human deaths in Asia. PB
Alberta
FORT
MCMURRAY — Into
the red for healthcare The Northern Lights Health
Region has voted to go into debt to pay for the recruiting
of 10 new family doctors. The region says the $4.2 million
deficit is worth it to attract doctors and renew services
in their fast-growing, youthful community. The region
currently has eight family doctors for a population
of 47,000. They'll also use some of the money to improve
local healthcare facilities. TT
CALGARY
— K
is for kids The Alberta Medical Association (AMA)
wants doctors and parents to ensure that all Alberta
babies are injected with vitamin K1 to prevent internal
bleeding. This is a "basic health issue," says Dr Carolyn
Lane, a Calgary FP who chairs the AMA's committee on
reproductive care. One out of 100 newborns may bleed
without the injection, according to the AMA; the injection
could reduce the risk to one out of 400,000 newborns.
GH
Saskatchewan
SASKATOON
— Straight
to the horse's mouth Dr Larry Ohlhauser, President
and CEO of Edmonton-based Healthcare Solutions and Innovations,
has been commissioned by the Saskatoon Health Region
to interview health region administrators and examine
emergency services at the Royal University Hospital,
St. Paul's and City Hospital with a view to better-integrated
services. His report is due in June. JEC
REGINA
— Smoke
free The proposed January 1, 2005 ban on smoking
in public places has upset some Saskatchewan bar owners
— but not mayors in Saskatoon, Yorkton, Prince
Albert, Moose Jaw and Humboldt, where smoking prohibitions
already exist. "Bars will gain non-smoking customers,"
enthuses Saskatchewan Cancer Society's Donna Pasiechnik.
"Eighty per cent of us don't smoke and food service
staff need protection from second-hand smoke." In a
show of unity, the leader of the opposition and the
health critic agreed to support the bill. JEC
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Manitoba
WINNIPEG
— Let's
hear it for the 'Peg Winnipeg has won its bid
to be the home of the new federal health agency —
Canada's answer to the US Centre for Disease Control.
The Red River city was up against tough competition
from Vancouver and Ottawa — the latter had federal
Minister of Public Health Carolyn Bennett's backing.
Dr Frank Plummer, Scientific Director of Winnipeg's
National Microbiological Laboratory, will run the centre
for the moment as Acting Chief Public Health Officer.
Satellite operations in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver
were also announced. CS
Ontario
TORONTO
— Turning
back the clocks The maiden budget from the McGuinty
government has hit and it's hard-hitting. Ontarians
aren't exactly overjoyed at the prospect of digging
a little deeper to help pay for health services. Healthcare
premiums will be re-imposed (they were abolished in
1990) at a cost of between $300 and $900 to individual
taxpayers annually. The Liberal government will also
delist certain 'non-essential' services, like physiotherapy,
routine eye exams, and sessions at the chiropractor.
There were some rays of sunshine, though. The Grits
promise to add to other services, including more MRIs
and CAT scans, vaccinations for kids, home care, and
extra doctors and nurses. CS
Quebec
QUEBEC
CITY — Put
on your thinking caps A physician symposium was
organized by Health Minister Philippe Couillard for
the Victoria Day weekend to look at optimal use of medication.
Some 300 doctors were set to attend the symposium and
try to come up with ways to reduce the rising costs
of the provincial health insurance plan and to review
prescription methods. The ideas presented at the symposium
will become fodder for a legislative consultation and
a possible law on prescription medication in Quebec.
CS
EAST
ANGUS — Pointing
the figure A 22-year-old man is suing a local
doctor for $83,000. The man showed up at the ER after
lacerating three fingers on his right hand and was treated
by the physician. The man returned to the hospital 10
days later to have the stitches removed and found he
was unable to bend his fingers. Turns out that his tendons
were lacerated, but the doctor never took the time to
repair the damage. CS
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