Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/comment/editorial/2009/01/23/8118201-sun.html
Make pandemic plan law
By PAUL RUTHERFORD
Last Updated: 23rd January 2009, 1:02am
The 2003 outbreak of the highly contagious, deadly disease SARS shook up the health care system of both Ontario and Toronto and raised troubling questions about how prepared they were for a serious pandemic.
Manitoba's health critic Conservative Myrna Driedger is accusing our own provincial government of falling behind the rest of Canada when it comes to being prepared for a pandemic -- for example during an influenza outbreak where as many as 400,000 Manitobans could get sick, with as many as 1,600 dying.
Driedger points to a year-old report from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation -- now known as Accreditation Canada -- that says the WRHA and the province is not ready for a pandemic. Health minister Theresa Oswald argues "binders upon binders" of pandemic protocol are in the hands of all stakeholders and that the province is prepared -- as prepared as anyone could be for such an enemy.
"But that planning can never stop. I don't think there will ever be a day when we can say 'our plan is finished'. This is a very dynamic enemy," Oswald told the Winnipeg Sun.
She's hit the nail on the head.
The ultimate test -- which we hope we never have to see - is when a pandemic of influenza or any other deadly contagious disease actually hits the province. It's then the rubber hits the road.
The SARS/Ontario example has forced governments to wake up and get their preparedness plans in order. Oswald and the NDP have upgraded our plan but haven't proclaimed it law, The 2006 updated version of the Public Health Act extends extraordinary powers of quarantine, search and detention to officials in times of disease-related emergencies. It's on hold due to human rights concerns about a section related to solvent abusers.
At the "drop of a hat" the document can be proclaimed, Oswald said. We urge her to drop the hat. Manitobans need to see the plan immediately.
Does the updated document clearly spell out the role of doctors, nurses and hospitals? What are the quarantine procedures for schools, community centres, etc.? Are ministry officials from the minister down held accountable enough? And how will the government handle a second health threat, in the midst of the pandemic?
Proclaiming this document to be law at a moment's notice when thousands are already sick and dying is not good enough.
Every Manitoban needs to be ready and fully versed on what is required of them.There's no room for on-the-job training during a province-wide health crisis.
Make pandemic plan law
By PAUL RUTHERFORD
Last Updated: 23rd January 2009, 1:02am
The 2003 outbreak of the highly contagious, deadly disease SARS shook up the health care system of both Ontario and Toronto and raised troubling questions about how prepared they were for a serious pandemic.
Manitoba's health critic Conservative Myrna Driedger is accusing our own provincial government of falling behind the rest of Canada when it comes to being prepared for a pandemic -- for example during an influenza outbreak where as many as 400,000 Manitobans could get sick, with as many as 1,600 dying.
Driedger points to a year-old report from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation -- now known as Accreditation Canada -- that says the WRHA and the province is not ready for a pandemic. Health minister Theresa Oswald argues "binders upon binders" of pandemic protocol are in the hands of all stakeholders and that the province is prepared -- as prepared as anyone could be for such an enemy.
"But that planning can never stop. I don't think there will ever be a day when we can say 'our plan is finished'. This is a very dynamic enemy," Oswald told the Winnipeg Sun.
She's hit the nail on the head.
The ultimate test -- which we hope we never have to see - is when a pandemic of influenza or any other deadly contagious disease actually hits the province. It's then the rubber hits the road.
The SARS/Ontario example has forced governments to wake up and get their preparedness plans in order. Oswald and the NDP have upgraded our plan but haven't proclaimed it law, The 2006 updated version of the Public Health Act extends extraordinary powers of quarantine, search and detention to officials in times of disease-related emergencies. It's on hold due to human rights concerns about a section related to solvent abusers.
At the "drop of a hat" the document can be proclaimed, Oswald said. We urge her to drop the hat. Manitobans need to see the plan immediately.
Does the updated document clearly spell out the role of doctors, nurses and hospitals? What are the quarantine procedures for schools, community centres, etc.? Are ministry officials from the minister down held accountable enough? And how will the government handle a second health threat, in the midst of the pandemic?
Proclaiming this document to be law at a moment's notice when thousands are already sick and dying is not good enough.
Every Manitoban needs to be ready and fully versed on what is required of them.There's no room for on-the-job training during a province-wide health crisis.