Community-wide tuberculosis prevention screening clinic in Naujaat
Press Release
April 10, 2024 (Iqaluit, Nunavut) – The Department of Health, in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), advises residents of Naujaat that a tuberculosis (TB) prevention screening clinic is planned to run from April 15th to the end of May. The clinic is being held in response to the rising number of TB rates in the community.
It is important for all residents of Naujaat to participate in the screening clinic. TB is a serious illness, and young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Early testing and treatment are important to cure TB and to stop the spread of the disease to others.
The screening clinic will be held in the Naujaat Hamlet building. Community members will be contacted by household to come for screening. The initial screening process includes a questionnaire, a TB test, and a chest X-ray. Follow-up testing might include providing sputum samples or a blood test.
“I want to express my gratitude towards the Naujaat community for their collaboration with Health officials, a partnership that is steering the community towards improved health outcomes,” said Minister of Health John Main. “I encourage everyone to continue supporting each other in getting screened. Early detection is key to eliminating TB from our communities. Let us maintain this momentum and work together to ensure a healthier future for all of Nunavut.”
The Department of Health and NTI will be supported throughout this screening with resources from many valued partners, organizations, and clinical staff.
“The rates of TB in Nunavut are already much higher than the rest of Canada because of overcrowded homes and difficulties in accessing healthcare services,” said NTI Vice President Paul Irngaut. “We are pleased to be partnering with the GN to run this screening clinic in Naujaat, to increase education about TB and to prevent more infections in the community. We can all do our part to stop the spread of TB so one day soon we can eliminate this curable and preventable disease from Nunavut.”
More information will be provided directly to the community through in-community engagement events, community radio, and the Hamlet of Naujaat.
For more information on TB and screening, please read the Tuberculosis Factsheet and the Tuberculin Skin Test Brochure.
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Media Contacts:
Kevin Kablutsiak
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
media@tunngavik.com
Pierre Essoh
Communications specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
pessoh@gov.nu.ca
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