Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Statements in Debates

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There may be; the Member is correct. There may be cases out there that we aren’t aware of that haven’t reported in, who haven’t been sick enough or come forward as being part of any other kind of blood test or blood work that’s being done for other reasons. Thank you.

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Corriveau has indicated that they will be reflecting this increase and renewed emphasis through the business planning process that we do at the departmental level. Plus, there will be ongoing work with the authorities and the other partners in the coalition on this issue. Thank you.

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the Member’s comments. As indicated yesterday that as we move ahead with the document that’s going to deal with the facilities, flowing out of that will be the conclusion of the master planning for Stanton, as well as Hay River and Fort Smith. So there will be an opportunity to look at that and to have that input. As well, just to state the obvious to the Member, very clearly, as a department, officials in Yellowknife are tracking the discussion in this House and issues that are raised and commitments that we made for follow up and to identify as well...

Debates of , (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am not trying to minimize the HIV issue, but what the information tells us is that the highest STI rates put us at particular risk with the rapid spread of HIV. Since the first HIV infections were identified in 1987, 36 persons -- 30 males and six females -- have tested positive for HIV infection in the NWT. In 2003, four new cases were identified; a significant increase from previous years. Seven of the 36 HIV cases occurred in persons between 20 and 29 years of age. Seventeen of the 36 HIV/AIDS cases occurred in persons between 30 and 39 years of...

Debates of , (day 39)

Yes, Madam Chair.

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, God willing and the creeks don’t rise, this will be done in the foreseeable future. If we can staff the rest of the other critical positions and if there is a desire indicated by the leadership in the Sahtu in terms of their actual establishment of the health board, then that would help us to conclude this arrangement and transition from being part of the Inuvik region and health authority to a standalone authority in the Sahtu. Thank you.

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is an issue, but to me the real issue is the fact that these young people have homes, they have parents, and what do we do to work with the families and the parents and the young people to make the right choices so that they are not on the street at night where they feel that they’ve been abandoned and have no place to go. It is the fundamental parental responsibility and the fundamental role of the young people, as well, to work together. So, to me, that is an issue that we have to keep paying attention to.

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, the department and authority are working with the SideDoor to look at establishing a weekend program for youth. They will be looking at all the variables that are out there that impact on establishing such a program, such as the funding and the liability issues and any other issues that come into the mix as we move ahead on this issue. Thank you.

Debates of , (day 36)

Mr. Speaker, I’ll just focus on reiterating one of the points that I raised, and that is that we are trying to come up with a blend at the clinic with the level of nurse practitioners, nurses and doctors that will help alleviate some of the waiting times and make access by patients to see the necessary medical people easier. We have a document in the works that will soon be coming forward through Cabinet and, hopefully, in the not-too-distant future to the Social Programs committee for discussion, that looks at how the hospitals and health centres are operating right now and some plans for...

Debates of , (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a Collective Agreement with the Medical Association that’s going to carry us into 2007-2008, but if I could just quickly reiterate some of the points that I gave in my last answer. We are looking at how emergency is currently structured, and the Member is correct, that it is estimated that anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of the people at emergency aren’t really emergency patients; they could be seen in other areas such as in a clinic or by nurse practitioners. So we’re looking at that and there’s money in the budget for the renovation of Stanton, as...