Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services on the cancer causing bacteria H. pylori and if there are any types of discussions that they are going to do some work in the Sahtu region. I know Aklavik has done this work and now I want to know if some of this work is going to be done in the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know if this particular type of virus is going to be investigated, but the Health department will be working with the Canadian Institute of Health Research, to do some research work in Fort Good Hope to look at some cancer screening and some things like water, diet and other things that may be impacting on the rates of cancer in the Sahtu. So we will be working in a couple of communities, one of them being Fort Good Hope, looking at doing some research looking at what may be causing the high rates of cancer. Thank you.
That’s good news from the department to look at the Sahtu. I raised this because, again, I said last night that I spoke to one of my constituents in Tulita who is being treated for H. pylori. I want to see if the investigation will be looked at in all five of the Sahtu communities of this cancer-causing bacteria. I’m happy to hear that Fort Good Hope will be looked at as a starting point. We need to look at all the communities in the Sahtu. Will the Minister look at that?
I know the department has worked with a group in the past to do this very specific testing in Aklavik. I will go back to the department to see what it takes in order to do these tests in other communities, and if it’s not an issue that... If it’s something we can do right away, we can get to it. But I don’t know the amount of work it would take, so I would like to go back to the department to have that discussion before I can make a commitment on the floor that we’re going to be able to do these tests in all the communities in Sahtu. Thank you.
Some years ago they did a successful screening test in Aklavik. If it takes supplementary funding to get this going, this test will save lives in the Sahtu. Like I said, I heard somebody in Tulita is being treated for this specific cancer-causing bacteria right now. If it takes some money, then let’s get it done and let’s start saving some lives. Will the Minister vigorously investigate in the Sahtu, come back with some numbers and say, yes, we have some in Tulita, Deline or Good Hope or the Wells or Colville and this needs to be looked at? This is a sleeping giant that needs to be looked after. Would the Minister do that?
The health concerns of all citizens in the Northwest Territories, including the citizens of Sahtu, are of importance to the Department of Health and Social Services. So if we are able to do it without going for a supp at this time, I am able to commit to looking at that. If it is more elaborate than that and there has to be a supplementary appropriation requirement before we can do this, then I would have to discuss that with other Cabinet members and the House before we can proceed with that.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask that between now and whenever there is action taken, maybe all the whole Northwest Territories needs to be looked at. I’m asking right now for the Sahtu communities. Between now and then, what can this department do to advise people in the five Sahtu communities about this cancer-causing bacteria? What things should they look out for? What things should they be seeing a nurse for and asking for? This constituent of mine is being treated as we speak today for this specific bacteria. What do other people need to be aware of in their own Dene language to say yes, I need to get checked out because this is dangerous? What can the Minister advise us in the House that he can do between now and when we get the real action done on the screening?
The department can communicate with the health and social services authority in Norman Wells, and in turn, the health and social services authority can advise people in the community. I think the department and nurses are aware of what the symptoms would be for the H. pylori, so they could have the people come and communicate with people to see if individuals could come into the health centre to be tested. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills.
Colleagues, we are going to take a 15-minute break here, and we will continue in 15 minutes. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 5.
---Unanimous consent granted
