Debates of February 18, 2005 (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this morning are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, related to the alarming reports about the incidence of sexually-transmitted infections in the Northwest Territories. The report filed indeed signals that we need to take some very strong action. The information presented in this document is not all that complete. I wanted to ask the Minister, at this stage, what has been done to put more detail on the plan and make a turnaround in this very sad situation possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To give two quick examples, the Department of Health and Social Services is working with Education, Culture and Employment to look at revising the current curriculum to make it more effective and have more of an impact on this area. As well, Mr. Speaker, we have a significant network of resources in all the communities with, on the clinical side, nurses, community health reps, social workers, and this document. On the practical side, trying to make sure we review the standards we have, the ability to track contacts and working with the people who come through the door to try to make sure we are emphasizing this issue more effectively. So we are looking at the systems we have, the resources we have, and trying to refocus more effectively in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Mr. Speaker, I am not hearing the kinds of things I would like to hear when it comes to really building a strategy that people can get onboard and have some faith and some ownership in. The strategy needs, Mr. Speaker, to say who is responsible, what will the work be, what are the measurables going to be, where are some targets and some budgeting. The information presented is very general. Will there be more advanced work on setting out some actual work plans to help us achieve some turnaround in this situation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Corriveau has indicated that they will be reflecting this increase and renewed emphasis through the business planning process that we do at the departmental level. Plus, there will be ongoing work with the authorities and the other partners in the coalition on this issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look forward to that information. The Minister indicated part of the strategy -- which I think is one of the most relevant and necessary -- is bringing sex education into grades at a younger age. There is a move underway right now, I think, in one of the Maritime provinces, to do this. Has this initiative been taken to the district or community education level to get their initial input and buy-in into this idea? Have we gone there yet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, there is work going on with Education, Culture and Employment to look at revising curriculum and it is my understanding that the revised curriculum requires feedback and there is a process of input between the departments, the authorities, the DEAs and DECs where the service is going to be delivered and provided. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Mr. Speaker, the one target that is outlined in the document is that we can at least see the possibility of bringing our rates down below the national average before the end of this decade with the trends that are outlined in here, the incidence of sexually-transmitted infection. That is an enormous task. I wanted to ask, is this doable? Is this really achievable? Are we potentially setting up an unattainable expectation here? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 425-15(3): Report On Sexually-Transmitted Infections

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the saying is, our reach has to exceed our grasp, for what is heaven for. We are faced with very many daunting challenges that seem irresolvable. We have set some very tough goals for ourselves as a territory, keeping in mind that this is 100 percent preventable. It is a personal choice issue. It is an education issue. It is a very simple one of not having unprotected sex and how do we deal with the individuals and the families in the communities to make the point that, like many of the other issues we talked about in this House, it is preventable. It is a personal choice, and we have to make the case on that basis. Thank you.