Tonka
Well-known member
http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/08/29/10664016-sun.html
Critics slam minister's claim First Nations are ready for flu pandemic
By PETER ZIMONJIC, NATIONAL BUREAU
Last Updated: 29th August 2009, 4:20am
OTTAWA -- Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq told MPs 90% of First Nations communities are ready for an H1N1 pandemic and health care centres in aboriginal areas have everything they need to deal with an outbreak.
"To date, more than 90% of the First Nations communities in Canada have completed and tested their (pandemic H1N1) plans," Aglukkaq told a committee of MPs yesterday.
"The health centres in every community are equipped to respond to H1N1."
But opposition MPs were quick to challenge the claim, suggesting remote communities have been forced to hold bake sales to buy flu kits for impoverished families.
NDP health critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis demanded to know if the government would pay for the kits, which opposition MPs said should contain Aspirin, thermometers and soap.
Aglukkaq said she had no idea what was supposed to be in a flu kit and the very idea was a red herring because the regional health centres had everything they needed to treat and prevent the spread of the virus.
Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, later told the committee kits containing soap would be almost useless if First Nations communities continued to lack clean water.
He also challenged Aglukkaq's claim about preparedness.
"I don't have information that suggests 90% of the communities are ready...more resources are required to support community planning," said Atleo.
"I don't know how it is that you would arrive at that sentiment."
Chiefs from Manitoba told the committee few of the communities there had plans to deal with an outbreak, let alone tested them.
They demanded more resources to deal with a possible autumn outbreak.
PETER.ZIMONJIC@SUNMEDIA.CA
Critics slam minister's claim First Nations are ready for flu pandemic
By PETER ZIMONJIC, NATIONAL BUREAU
Last Updated: 29th August 2009, 4:20am
OTTAWA -- Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq told MPs 90% of First Nations communities are ready for an H1N1 pandemic and health care centres in aboriginal areas have everything they need to deal with an outbreak.
"To date, more than 90% of the First Nations communities in Canada have completed and tested their (pandemic H1N1) plans," Aglukkaq told a committee of MPs yesterday.
"The health centres in every community are equipped to respond to H1N1."
But opposition MPs were quick to challenge the claim, suggesting remote communities have been forced to hold bake sales to buy flu kits for impoverished families.
NDP health critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis demanded to know if the government would pay for the kits, which opposition MPs said should contain Aspirin, thermometers and soap.
Aglukkaq said she had no idea what was supposed to be in a flu kit and the very idea was a red herring because the regional health centres had everything they needed to treat and prevent the spread of the virus.
Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, later told the committee kits containing soap would be almost useless if First Nations communities continued to lack clean water.
He also challenged Aglukkaq's claim about preparedness.
"I don't have information that suggests 90% of the communities are ready...more resources are required to support community planning," said Atleo.
"I don't know how it is that you would arrive at that sentiment."
Chiefs from Manitoba told the committee few of the communities there had plans to deal with an outbreak, let alone tested them.
They demanded more resources to deal with a possible autumn outbreak.
PETER.ZIMONJIC@SUNMEDIA.CA