Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 17th Assembly has set a goal to promote healthy living for the people of the Northwest Territories. We’re seeing the costs of health care increasing and we are seeing increases in obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes throughout the northern territories. My colleague from Hay River South indicated Diabetes Month is November. I believe that we need to take steps to implement the goals of healthy living.
I would like to speak to an issue that is close to my heart, or should I say closer to my stomach? For years I was largely overweight. I had high blood pressures and I am a diabetic. On May 6, 2011, I paid to insert a weight loss band on the top of my stomach. The band has been successful for me. I have lost 200 pounds.
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At this time I would like to thank my family and friends for helping me out with that. My blood pressure is in the normal ranges now, and after six months I was able to get off of insulin. The high cost of weight loss bands is not being covered under any government programming and it is preventing people from helping themselves with their weight conditions.
The Department of Health has to strengthen the weight loss program in the Northwest Territories. We need to assist the cost of these weight loss bands. The cost of the bands will be returned to the government very quickly. The lack of need for insulin, medication and chronic health care will be seen very quickly over the many, many years. I myself believe that I will not be on a chronic system in the government for an additional 10 years. I will not be on insulin, hopefully, for a very long time to see.
We need to follow other jurisdictions, and we have to have a strong weight loss program and fund weight loss bands. If we want people to have healthy lives, we need to give them the tools and the help to do so.
I will have questions for the Minister of Health when it comes time.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
