Debates of May 14, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. It has to do with the health centres in the Sahtu, particularly the one in Tulita where it is lacking air conditioning. I understand from last year speaking to the community that it was unbearable for some of the patients, especially the elders to sit and visit the health centres and be treated at the same time, sit there while the centre is boiling, I guess, and not being safe to have the services in our community. Is the Minister aware of these health conditions and these working conditions in the Tulita Health Centre?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are aware of issues in our health centres across the Territories. There are a number of facilities that do not have air conditioning in them for the summer months. Normally, this area would be looked at through our small capital program. We are hoping to have that improved throughout this year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to shape the Minister’s response to this issue, some of these areas are similar to other communities that do not have RCMP in their communities. They don’t have air conditioners in some of these small health centres. In terms of this simple situation here to be resolved for people in the small communities, this is fixable. It is reasonable. It is also doable. It is a crying shame that, in this day and age, these health centres do not have air conditioners, Mr. Speaker. What does the Minister plan to do to improve the situation like this in the health centre in Tulita?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we have done, as we go through our capital planning program, is we, through the small capital needs assessment, put our request in for money for health centres throughout the territory that don’t have this type of equipment. We try to make it through that avenue to have equipment installed as the money becomes available. That is the process we are using this year, as well. We have made requests through the small capital needs assessment area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I said it before and I will say it again, people in my region are being denied the basic standards in some of our facilities, some of these facilities that other regions have enjoyed and take for granted. Mr. Speaker, summer is coming close. It is just around the corner. I ask if the Minister will commit to work with the Sahtu health board to see that this installation of air conditioning be installed in the Tulita Health Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me try to be a little clearer here. The fact is, we have, as a department, agreed with the needs of the communities. We have put our requests in through the system to try to get additional monies to cover off this area. Hopefully, that need will be met this upcoming season. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I would ask if the Minister would work closely with the Sahtu health board in terms of seeing some of these conditions being met in some of the communities who do not have these air conditioners. It is a basic service for health centres. You can go ahead with the bridge. Certainly, we can go ahead with putting air conditioners in some of our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 77-15(6): Air Conditioning For The Tulita Health Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we will work with the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority in the air conditioning area, but we have to look at the needs across the board; in fact, all of our health centres throughout the territory. As I stated earlier, the department has put the request in in trying to get more revenue so that we can deal with this area. Thank you.