Those who suffer the most are the most vulnerable: Dakota Tipi Chief on racism in health care
This edition of who is saying what about public health care covers calls for First Nations health legislation to address racism in health care, reaction to the obstacles stopping the lowering of drug prices, Manitoba doctors speaking out against what is driving them out of the province, concerns over AI in health care and British Columbians crossing the border to access cancer care.
Racism a factor in how health care decisions are made, says Dakota Tipi Chief
“We have the highest negative statistics and health outcomes based on all the social determinants, So, health isn’t health. Poor health is an outcome of the living conditions, the lack of resources, the loss of our lands, the loss of our resources, unemployment, and the loss of our culture,” said Dennis Pashe, Chief of Dakota Tipi First Nation, PortageOnLine, May 10, 2023
Federal agency told health minister about obstacles to lowering drug prices back in 2021
“After five years, myriad policy proposals and many hundreds of hours of consultation, it would appear the pharmaceutical industry is simply not amenable to any measures that would further constrain its ability to sell patented medicines in Canada at free market prices… (The industry) steadfastly refused to engage on the substance,” said 2021 PMPRB Acting Chair Melanie Bourassa Forcier, 2021 Acting Chair of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board to The Canadian Press, May 11, 2023
Delay in drug price reform cost Canadians $3 billion: NDP
“This whole story shamefully shows who the Liberals are working for. Since promising to act in 2017, they have been busier defending the profits of big pharma than reducing the price of medication,” said NDP Health Critic Don Davies, May 11, 2023
Manitoba government says doctors pouring into the province; doctors disagree
“We’ve heard just as recently as this week doctors in prominent positions who have a lot of experience in our healthcare system speaking out, saying that this government is making decisions that are driving doctors away from our province… I’m going to lean on the side of believing doctors. . .It’s about repairing the relationship with doctors. It’s about repairing the trust that’s been broken under this (PC) government with physicians across Manitoba, and retaining the physicians we have here,” said Manitoba NDP Health Critic Uzoma Asagwara to the Winnipeg Free Press, May 11, 2023
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WHO warns against artificial intelligence (AI) in health care
“Data used to train AI may be biased and generate misleading or inaccurate information and the models can be misused to generate disinformation,” said World Health Organization in a statement reported by Global News/Reuters, May 16, 2023
B.C. sending cancer patients across the border for treatment
“B.C. used to be a leader in cancer care in Canada. Today’s announcement shows that the system we currently have is failing to meet people’s needs,” said BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau to The Globe and Mail, May 15, 2023
Nurse-run clinic planned for the Outaouais
“We cannot be against bringing about consistent change focused on the needs of the public, responding to their needs in a timely manner with the right resources and the right people,” said Christine Laliberté, President of the Association of Specialized Nurse Practitioners of Quebec, to CBC News, May 14, 2023
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