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Nova Scotia
HALIFAX
— Jab-free
immunization A
research team at the IWK Health Centre is searching
for an immunization method for whooping cough that doesn't
involve an inoculation. "Parents are starting to think
their children are pincushions," says Dr Scott Halperin,
Head of Infectious Diseases at the Children's Hospital.
Dr Halperin aims to incorporate bits of the culprit
virus into an inhaled vaccine. The research at the new
Centre for Vaccinology will begin in several months.
BH
HALIFAX
— Noggin
knowledge Despite the noggin-protecting benefits
of helmets and a local bylaw mandating their use, up
to 50% of Haligonians ride without helmets. "Quite simply,
compliance with helmet laws has been dismal," says Deputy
Halifax Regional Police Chief Chris McNeil. Now, helmet-less
cyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters, and scooter
riders will be dinged $128.75. They can avoid the fine
by attending a course on helmet safety given by the
provincial Brain Injury Association. BH
Prince
Edward Island
CHARLOTTETOWN
— Haves
and jab-nots A nationwide shortage of vaccine
means PEI preschoolers will have to wait until October
for their booster shots. Provincial Chief Health Officer
Dr Lamont Sweet downplayed the risk to island youngsters.
"Getting [the booster] right on time at four-and-a-half
is not crucial as far as protecting them against these
diseases," says Dr Sweet. A substandard batch of the
booster ingredient Quadracel, rejected by Health Canada,
caused the temporary shortage. DJB
Newfoundland
ST JOHN'S —
Light smokes are
heavy hitters A class action lawsuit has been
filed in the Newfoundland Supreme Court against Imperial
Tobacco Ltd, alleging deceptive trade practices in the
company's marketing of light cigarettes. Lawyer Ches
Crosbie says the lawsuit isn't seeking damages for illness,
but is asking for compensation to refund all money that
class members paid for light cigarettes, with the false
belief that they were less harmful. The company dismissed
the lawsuit as frivolous and called the allegations
groundless. DSS
ST
JOHN'S — Mo'
money for 'contin abuse The Newfoundland and
Labrador Medical Association president Dr Andrew Major
welcomes recent recommendations from the OxyContin Task
Force. Recommendations include continued funding for
a pharmacy network to help identify drug misuse and
abuse, tamper-proof prescription pads and continuing
narcotics education for physicians and pharmacists.
DSS
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Yukon
WHITEHORSE —
Cold fish no more
Yukoners who
like their fish raw should hold off on delicacies, like
oysters, imported from neighbouring Alaskan waters.
The state health department released a warning after
finding the warm-water bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus
in oysters. Warmer than normal temperatures have caused
the bacteria to flourish in northern waters. Health
officials warn that seafood should be properly cooked
to avoid infection. CS
Nunavut
IQALUIT —
PM in (north) pole
position During his Nunavut visit in mid-August,
Prime Minister Paul Martin said Inuit must be part of
Nunavut's healthcare solutions and called for Inuit
to train as nurses. In Pond Inlet, Martin met the territory's
most northerly doctor, Dr Patti DiMaio. The visit was
useful, she said, "because most of Canada doesn't understand
that healthcare is delivered very differently up here."
The PM didn't commit more funds for medical travel,
another top healthcare issue in the north, but he did
say Ottawa "would do its best." JG
Northwest
Territories
YELLOWKNIFE —
Ringing in Telehealth
The NWT are on the forefront of telehealth technology.
The number of remote medical services has more than
doubled since 1998. Nine communities across the territory
can now transmit everything from ultrasounds to X-rays
to specialists in Yellowknife. Despite a tight healthcare
budget more telehealth sites will be announced this
year. CS
YELLOWKNIFE
— Group
home residents get AB healthcare Six NWT residents
living in an unaccredited group home in Edmonton will
be covered by Alberta healthcare. When the group home
lost its accreditation the territory government gave
it the cold shoulder and refused to cover the residents'
expenses. In May allegations of patient abuse were levied
against the home. CS
Contributors:
Paula Baker, Donny J Byers, Jacqui Clydesdale, Jane George, Jason K
Gondziola,, Gail Helgasson, Bill McGuire, Brian Hoyle, Deanna Stokes-Sullivan,
Carla Sparks
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