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Source: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/06/23/first-nations-swine-flu.html
Treat swine flu the same way on reserves across Canada, Senate told
Delivery of alcohol-based hand sanitizers delayed because of abuse concerns
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 4:17 PM ET
CBC News
Canada's aboriginal communities have been hit hard by swine flu, but there is no consistent approach to the disease across the country, a Senate committee was told Tuesday.
Dr. Kim Barker, senior public health adviser to the Assembly of First Nations, called for an independent task force to study outbreaks in First Nations communities and report back with recommendations before the fall flu season with a seamless approach across the country.
Measures aimed at containing the swine flu virus were ill suited to the social realities of First Nations communities, Barker told the Senate committee on aboriginal peoples.
"For example, First Nations were told to avoid contact with others, even though most live in cramped and overcrowded conditions. Similarly, they were told 'wash your hands frequently,' even though many did not have running water in their homes."
As well, she said, there were delays by Health Canada in delivering alcohol-based hand sanitizers in some communities because of concerns the alcohol content might be abused.
The delay in delivering sanitizer "represented the type of paternalism that we have treated First Nations with for a very long time," said Liberal Senator Sharon Carstairs of Manitoba.
If Health Canada and Indian Affairs cannot organize the basic supplies, such as hand sanitizer and antivirals, then the military should be called in to provide proper housing and clean water as they do in Afghanistan, said Liberal Senator Charlie Watt of Quebec.
"If they can do it for the other countries, why can't they do it here in Canada?" Watt asked.
Barker likened the conditions on some reserves to those in "Mexican slums." The pandemic began in Mexico in March.
Approach not consistent
Conditions on reserves, such as poverty, overcrowding, and lack of clean water are ideal for the spread of the H1N1 virus and other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, she said.
So far, the approach to swine flu has not been consistent, she said.
In northwestern Ontario, the antiviral drug Tamiflu was flown in as a preventive measure for treating anyone with symptoms, but other provinces did not take that step, citing concerns the practice could fuel viral resistance to the drug, CBC News has reported previously.
Chiefs were involved in the discussions from the beginning, said Anne-Marie Robinson, assistant deputy minister of Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
"We do have communities where we have a large proportion of people who suffer from addictions," Robinson said.
The senators want their concerns to be addressed now, committee chairman Senator Gerry St. Germain said, given predictions that the pandemic could be worse this fall.
Treat swine flu the same way on reserves across Canada, Senate told
Delivery of alcohol-based hand sanitizers delayed because of abuse concerns
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 4:17 PM ET
CBC News
Canada's aboriginal communities have been hit hard by swine flu, but there is no consistent approach to the disease across the country, a Senate committee was told Tuesday.
Dr. Kim Barker, senior public health adviser to the Assembly of First Nations, called for an independent task force to study outbreaks in First Nations communities and report back with recommendations before the fall flu season with a seamless approach across the country.
Measures aimed at containing the swine flu virus were ill suited to the social realities of First Nations communities, Barker told the Senate committee on aboriginal peoples.
"For example, First Nations were told to avoid contact with others, even though most live in cramped and overcrowded conditions. Similarly, they were told 'wash your hands frequently,' even though many did not have running water in their homes."
As well, she said, there were delays by Health Canada in delivering alcohol-based hand sanitizers in some communities because of concerns the alcohol content might be abused.
The delay in delivering sanitizer "represented the type of paternalism that we have treated First Nations with for a very long time," said Liberal Senator Sharon Carstairs of Manitoba.
If Health Canada and Indian Affairs cannot organize the basic supplies, such as hand sanitizer and antivirals, then the military should be called in to provide proper housing and clean water as they do in Afghanistan, said Liberal Senator Charlie Watt of Quebec.
"If they can do it for the other countries, why can't they do it here in Canada?" Watt asked.
Barker likened the conditions on some reserves to those in "Mexican slums." The pandemic began in Mexico in March.
Approach not consistent
Conditions on reserves, such as poverty, overcrowding, and lack of clean water are ideal for the spread of the H1N1 virus and other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, she said.
So far, the approach to swine flu has not been consistent, she said.
In northwestern Ontario, the antiviral drug Tamiflu was flown in as a preventive measure for treating anyone with symptoms, but other provinces did not take that step, citing concerns the practice could fuel viral resistance to the drug, CBC News has reported previously.
Chiefs were involved in the discussions from the beginning, said Anne-Marie Robinson, assistant deputy minister of Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
"We do have communities where we have a large proportion of people who suffer from addictions," Robinson said.
The senators want their concerns to be addressed now, committee chairman Senator Gerry St. Germain said, given predictions that the pandemic could be worse this fall.