New Brunswick

FREDERICTON — Strung out to dry Health and Wellness Minister Elvy Robichaud said in the legislature that there's no money available to fund Fredericton's methadone clinic, which means the clinic may have to shut at the end of June. The clinic has lost its federal funding and can no longer afford to help the 60 addicts who rely on it to maintain normal lives. There is currently a waiting list of a further 60 people seeking admittance to the program. JC

FREDERICTON — Throwing the book at Medicare abusers Former Health Minister Dennis Furlong has written a book criticizing national healthcare. Dr Furlong's main concern is the public's tendency toward taking the system as it now exists for granted. The former minister left politics last year to resume practising medicine, which led him to write Medicare Myths, which was released May 17. Dr Furlong advocates a return to the early days of Medicare, when family members cared for their elderly or sick relatives. JC

Nova Scotia

HALIFAX — A mad mad mistake Officials have three weeks to report back on why 59 patients at two hospitals in Halifax and Yarmouth were treated with inadequately sterilized medical equipment that was used on two patients diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in early April. "We obviously want to improve procedures so if there are any further incidents, we will have proper procedures in place," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. Test results have not yet been released to the public. BH

HALIFAX — It'll grow on you Nine-year-old Nicholas McConnell-Kinney is a pioneer. His bone cancer-stricken right shoulder was replaced with a titanium and plastic prosthetic designed to grow with him. The prosthetic expands when exposed to a magnetic field. Nicholas is the first Canadian recipient of the implant and one of less than two dozen in North America to have had the treatment. BH

Prince Edward Island

CHARLOTTETOWN — Pass the hat for QE The Queen Elizabeth Hospital needs $22 million in repairs, says a report conducted by the hospital's doctors. The report states that the outdated hospital is in critical need of improvement and is unable to deliver core services. The emergency room is also too small and not equipped to deal with infectious diseases. The report calls on the government to build new birthing suites, level the surgical unit and replace it with new operating rooms. BM

Newfoundland

ST JOHN'S — Open season on seal oil Four Memorial University professors who co-own North Atlantic Biopharma Inc have discovered a new medicinal use for seal oil. The company is developing an intravenous nutritional emulsion, containing about 10% seal oil, for traumatic and post-surgery patients. Vegetable oil-based emulsions are available, but the researchers say seal oil has added benefits — it's more chemically stable, contains omega 3 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties. They hope the product can be marketed in about two years. DSS

ST JOHN'S — Cruising for West Nile Although it hasn't been detected in Newfoundland and Labrador, the province is participating again this year in a national West Nile Virus surveillance plan. In recent years the virus has been reported in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia. People are being asked to report seeing sick or dead crows, ravens, grey jays and blue jays, which become ill quickly from the virus. DSS

Yukon

WHITEHORSE — "Tell her I'm not home" Yukon Health Minister Peter Jenkins gave federal Minister of Public Health Carolyn Bennett the cold shoulder last week during her visit to the territory. The health minister's office claims that Mr Jenkins was unable to meet with Ms Bennett due to a prior engagement in Dawson City, and wasn't able to cancel. Liberal leader Pat Duncan has made a bit of a brouhaha about the snub and made a point of apologizing on behalf of Yukoners to Ms Bennett in person. CS

Nunavut

IQALUIT — How refreshing The newly-formed Registered Nursing Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut wants every RN to take a six-week refresher course before they start practicing in the NWT or Nunavut to give them the community health skills they need to work in the North. A resolution passed at the association's recent annual general meeting asks that RNs complete "at a bare minimum" an Introduction to Nurse Practitioner course, which they hope will also lead to an increase in the number of nurse practitioners — the association's second main goal. JG

Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE — Save the babies A local maternal and childcare program, already the envy of some larger Canadian cities, has taken on a new initiative: encouraging the benefits of breastfeeding. The group, which has helped to reduce illness and death among Northern children, is now offering workshops to teach mothers how to breastfeed properly and to ensure regular immunization. CS

Contributors: Paula Baker, Gail Helgason, Jacqui Clydesdale, Toss Taylor, Bill McGuire, Brian Hoyle, Deanna Stokes-Sullivan, John Hewson, Jane George, Carla Sparks