Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One short question. In light of the news report the last couple of days, my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the TB situation in Colville Lake and medevacing the people out to Inuvik to do the tests there. It is the responsibility of the Minister’s department to act quickly on this issue because Colville Lake is small and isolated, and does not have a nurse to monitor the situation in instances like this. So I would like to ask the Minister could he inform the House and the people of the Northwest Territories what he is doing to ensure that the TB issue in Colville Lake is satisfactory to people in the Sahtu and to people in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 142-15(3): Tuberculosis In Colville Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just quickly to recap, on May 17th an individual was sent out for treatment for what was thought to be cancer, and it turned out to be a very contagious form of TB. It was judged at that time that this individual had been in the community for a while, and being as it was highly infectious there were steps taken to go to the community with health practitioners. About 15 individuals were subsequently flown to Inuvik where they were tested. The majority of them returned home. Some have been identified that they may require follow-up and treatment. They will be given that treatment and monitored. There will be regular visits into Colville Lake by the doctors and nurses to ensure that the protocols are complete, and they will be tracking this very, very closely. Thank you.

I would just like to recognize the clock. The time for oral questions has expired, but I will allow the Member for Sahtu to conclude your supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 142-15(3): Tuberculosis In Colville Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, in light of the Minister’s comments, do you feel with the regular visits of the doctors and nurses…I guess I am looking for some commitment from his department to have a nurse practitioner situated in Colville Lake to monitor on a day-to-day basis. I know the department is strapped for nurses in the Northwest Territories, but it is something that would assure the people of Colville Lake and the people in the North that this TB scare will be taken care of. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 142-15(3): Tuberculosis In Colville Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this particular situation is being monitored very closely. We’ve been working with the lay dispenser in Colville Lake. There has been close contact with Inuvik and there will continue to be, and they are mapping out the medical requirements to ensure that there is proper follow-up and that the required staff are in the community when they are needed for as long as they are needed. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 142-15(3): Tuberculosis In Colville Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. The comments for assisting the…(inaudible)…I would like to ask the Minister with regard to situations like Colville Lake, how did this come about and what situations did we look at where TB has occurred in this day and age in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 142-15(3): Tuberculosis In Colville Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, tuberculosis continues to exist as a disease and there are approximately eight to 12 cases a year. What has improved is our ability to make sure that we don’t miss those cases. We had a case a number of years ago, I believe the Member will recall in his own riding, and there was a lot of circumstances and we learned a very hard lesson from that and have taken great steps to ensure the medical staff in the communities is trained, that there are TB protocols that are adhered to and when things are identified, this is one of the things tested for and when TB is discovered, that we move into gear to respond in the medically appropriate way. Thank you.