Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most residents of the Northwest Territories, when they get sick, they go see a doctor. Many times people are given the standard advice when they develop symptoms of illness: consult with your family physician. But in Nunakput, doctors’ visits are few and far between. Sometimes it can go as long as six or seven months, Mr. Speaker. That’s not acceptable.
Compounded by another issue that is equally important, especially during the H1N1 swine flu developments, are that our nurses diagnose patients, and if in their opinion the situation warrants, then a patient will be referred to a doctor. Mr. Speaker, most resident of the Northwest Territories do not have to go through this additional layer in the waiting times. When they have a problem, they go see the doctor directly. When regional health authorities have shortages of doctors, it’s always the smaller and remote communities that are left behind. We’re put on the backburner. We’re not given a fair share of doctors’ visits, Mr. Speaker, and that’s a shame.
A shame.
We are lucky in Canada to have equality of health care access to all residents. It’s a right, but that’s not always the answer and shared with all residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, recently in central Canada a perfectly healthy young boy passed away of H1N1 within days of catching the flu. During the years and flu season, this government must implement extra measures to monitor and treat all residents of the NWT equally and not just regarding the flu, but all medical conditions. We all know how fast medical conditions can progress; even a one or two-month situation could mean a matter of life and death.
I expressed in several Member’s statements over the past two years I’ve been here that our community health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the medical services they can, but they need this government’s help, Mr. Speaker. The government needs to devote resources to ensure the problems do not affect quality of care to all residents. The government needs to ensure that the shortages in small, remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it all.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
