News Release 2009-51 March 26, 2009 For immediate release OTTAWA – Medical Educational Modules in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health were launched today by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Minister of Health, together with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and The Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC).” These educational modules outline ways for physicians to provide better, more culturally responsive care to Aboriginal people,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. “Fostering better health care outcomes for Canada’s Aboriginal people is vital, timely and worthy of our resources, and we’re excited to see these modules launched.” The four teaching modules in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine provide medical residents and practising physicians with the education and cultural competencies required to better meet the health care needs of Canada’s Aboriginal people. The modules were created by three working groups composed of faculty from Canada’s medical schools, national Aboriginal organizations and Indigenous elders, and experts in First Nations, Inuit and Métis health and curriculum development. The modules will be available to all faculties of medicine in postgraduate medical education (PGME) programs and continuing medical education. For postgraduate medical education in Canada, there are approximately 49 residency programs offering training in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Psychiatry, or Family Medicine, and the modules could be accessed by all of these programs. In addition, the “Core Curriculum” could reach more than 700 postgraduate residency programs. The core curriculum covers numerous topics, including residential schools history, social determinants of health and an overview of the Government of Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, a federal initiative that provides health coverage for goods and services not covered by provinces, territories or other private insurance plans. Included in the curriculum and teaching modules are faculty development components and educational content and resources to support teaching. These modules will also serve as a model for other specialties, disciplines and faculties wishing to integrate similar teaching into their educational programming. The launch of the modules marks the culmination of a two-year, $1-million initiative funded by Health Canada. -30- Media Enquiries: Health Canada (613) 957-2983 Josée Bellemare Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Federal Minister of Health (613) 957-0200 Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991 1-866 225-0709
Environment and Conservation
March 25, 2009
The annual Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador report for 2008 was released today at the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop taking place in Gander. The report outlines the accomplishments and activities for 2007-08 and highlights the province’s 319 designated protected water supply areas, 146 on-site training sessions provided by the department’s mobile training units, and the approximately 19,000 bacteriological samples that were collected and analyzed.”Drinking water quality continues to be a priority of our government, and the results of the 2008 Drinking Water Safety report speak to the positive measures we are implementing and the positive results we are experiencing,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “We are the only province to directly undertake drinking water quality monitoring of all of our public water supplies, and I am pleased to release a report that provides the public with comprehensive information about all aspects of drinking water safety.”
During 2007-08, more than 2,400 drinking water samples (chemical) were collected in the province, and an additional three water supplies were designated as Protected Public Water Supply Areas. This designation ensures all activities within the protected areas are controlled using a permitting process, and high-risk activities that could impair water quality are restricted. Furthermore, as of April 2008, 91 per cent of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador who use public water receive it from a protected source.
Minister Johnson said the release of the drinking water quality report is timely in terms of the recent celebration of World Water Day. “The release of our report coincides nicely with World Water Day, which is held annually on March 22, as a means of focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources,” said Minister Johnson. “This report reflects our sustainable water management efforts in the province and shows our continued commitment to this valuable resource.”
The minister also presented the Operator of the Year Award and the Volunteer Operator of the Year Award at the workshop and conference. The recipient of the 2009 Volunteer Operator of the Year Award is Gerard Lee from the Local Service District (LSD) of Barachois Brook. Wayne Bennett, the Regional Operator for the towns of St. Paul’s, Parson’s Pond and Daniel’s Harbour, was presented with the 2009 Operator of the Year Award.
“Both awards were designed to recognize the outstanding dedication of the many water systems operators in the province who provide us with clean and safe drinking water,” said Minister Johnson. “They demonstrate ingenuity, proficiency, dedication, and professionalism on a daily basis. We received 39 very deserving nominations and were overwhelmed with the response and the letters of praise submitted by these communities.”
The eighth annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop is taking place in Gander from March 24-26. It brings together operators from every region in Newfoundland and Labrador and provides a forum for the sharing of best practices and educational sessions on water systems operations. The theme of this year’s workshop is Rural Reactions and Remedies.
The Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador report for 2008 is available at www.gov.nl.ca/Env/env/waterres/Reports/Reports.asp
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Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
2009 03 25
