Doctors “beacons of trust” in countering any H1N1 outbreak: minister
August 18, 2009
The federal health minister’s annual speech to the CMA’s General Council (GC) usually deals with broad policy issues affecting the health care system but has little to do with physicians’ day-to-day work.That wasn’t the case this year.
When Leona Aglukkaq addressed GC Aug. 17 her speech focused on two specific clinical issues all doctors are aware of: the threat posed by the H1N1 influenza virus and the impact a shortage of medical isotopes is having on patient care.
And Aglukkaq made clear that she will be relying heavily on physicians to help her solve both problems. “For Canadians, you truly are beacons of trust,” she said, referring to the H1N1 threat. “For Canada’s health ministers and officials at all levels, you are valued ambassadors and indispensable allies in our quest to minimize the spread and impact of the H1N1 flu virus.”
Aglukkaq said the federal plan for dealing with a new outbreak of the virus, the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan, is built on four pillars – collaboration, mobilization, information and communication – and an order has been placed for 50.4 million doses of a vaccine that is expected to be filled by mid-November.
“With the possibility of a stronger second [H1N1] wave to come in the fall, we need to maintain our vigilance and we need you to stand together with us.”
The isotope issue has dogged the federal government for two years, and most recently following the May 2009 shutdown of the nuclear reactor in Chalk River, Ont., that forced nuclear medicine departments across Canada to seek new suppliers of medical isotopes.
Aglukkaq said the issue is challenging because isotopes cannot be stockpiled and “distributing them is like delivering ice cubes from door to door on a hot summer day.”
She said alternatives to the isotopes produced at Chalk River are being assessed. The reactor is not expected to be resume operation until May 2010.
“We are also continuing our work with international partners to increase production and coordinate [reactor] shut-down periods,” she said.
She praised physicians for coping throughout the shortage, noting that many had to shift schedules and work overtime because of it.
Aglukkaq also touched briefly on the impact of public health issues in Canada’s North, where the smoking rate among Inuit residents is 58% – three times the national average. “It is no coincidence that we have the highest rate of lung cancer in the world,” she said.
In the question period following her speech, CMA Past President Victor Dirnfeld said physicians in British Columbia are concerned about the increased practice costs they may face because of a H1N1 outbreak, but have been told the provincial government will not cover them. Aglukkaq said she would mention the issue to her BC counterpart.
Dr. Christopher O’Brien raised a similar concern about medical isotopes, noting that nuclear medicine departments are facing higher costs because of the need to import supplies from countries such as South Africa. Asked whether there is a plan to help the departments meet these costs, Aglukkaq said she is “prepared to discuss” the issue with her provincial counterparts.
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By Patrick Sullivan
