Date
October
27
2006
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of October 27, 2006 (day 17)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Health Care Difficulties Experienced By Constituent
David Ramsay
Kam Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to again address the concern that I have over the treatment, or lack thereof, of a constituent of mine. I believe it is unreasonable and unacceptable that he has been allowed to suffer through almost three years of chronic pain, unable to work and unable to support his family. On Monday of this week, I had asked the Minister responsible, Mr. Roland, about how our government treats cases where an individual can’t get a diagnosis here in the NWT. Given the fact that my constituent has been waiting almost three years and the department’s answer is to force him to wait approximately another two years and, Mr. Speaker, that is five years of pain and suffering, it is completely unacceptable.
The Minister, in his response to one of my questions on Monday stated on page 886 of unedited Hansard, "I am aware that he hasn’t been left out there on his own." Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is he hasn’t got a diagnosis after three years. If someone was out there with him, what good has it done him? What I would like to see is a complete top to bottom review of his file to ensure that we can find out why he has not gotten the care he deserves and make immediate arrangements to have him receive the help that he needs to acquire diagnosis and receive treatment.
How long does a resident of the Northwest Territories have to suffer before they can get the help? What are our standards? Do we even have acceptable levels for wait times here in the Northwest Territories?
Mr. Speaker, in a country like Canada, I find it unthinkable that a resident would have to take matters into their own hands and travel overseas to seek medical attention. In my mind, our health care system has failed my constituent for almost three years. By putting him on another wait list for two years, they are standing by and allowing this man to continue to suffer immensely. The proposed course of action as proposed by the department is just not good enough for my mind, Mr. Speaker. Our residents deserve better. Mahsi.
---Applause