Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I made a statement on November being Diabetes Month. I wanted to follow up with questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
What counselling is available for the families of diabetes patients? How would a family in Fort Providence go about getting that counselling?
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in response yesterday, we are starting to work in the diabetes field. As the Member indicated earlier, it is relatively new. We are still about 2 percent under the national average in the Northwest Territories. Diabetes is a chronic disease. It is becoming an issue. We are starting off setting up the diabetes programs by doing pilot projects in Norman Wells, Yellowknife and Behchoko. Also, there is a Diabetes Program in Yellowknife that is available and through YK Health and Social Services. Recognizing that Fort Providence is part of Deh Cho Health and Social Services, however, the authorities can work together and provide support for each other for individuals to go to where the programs actually exist. Thank you.
I think it’s quite clear that we do have a very serious matter in terms of diabetes affecting mostly Aboriginal communities and people. So would the Health Minister arrange for diabetes patients in Fort Providence to have a choice of receiving care either in Hay River or Yellowknife? Mahsi.
Thank you. Yes, I think that is a good way to go. As you know, we are building a new health centre and a modern health centre in Hay River. We’re hoping that that could encompass more than what they are currently providing, and to not only the community, but to surrounding communities such as Fort Providence. We think it would be much more efficient for the communities of Providence, Kakisa and the Hay River Reserve to get their services in Hay River. It’s definitely an idea that we are working towards.
I’d like to thank the Minister for agreeing to the idea of at least having diabetes patients having these care services provided from Hay River.
Just building upon that, will the Minister also perhaps commit to the idea of a pilot project to be expanded to Fort Providence?
Thank you. Yes, the intention is to roll the program out. So Fort Providence will be a good candidate. I think a medium-sized community is what we want to expand into. So, yes, I will commit to expanding the program into Fort Providence. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is being done in small communities to raise the awareness about being tested for diabetes?
Thank you. I think that the authorities basically have the information available, such as posters and so on and being aware of diabetes, what you have to do to prevent diabetes and so on. I don’t have a complete script of what each authority has to do in order to get the message out to individuals on the prevention of diabetes or what to do if you have diabetes, so I can get that information for the Member through the department. No problem. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
