Health Watch - August 2013

FNHA to begin operating in BC in October

On Oct. 1, the final transfer of power and federal funding from Health Canada will be made to the First Nations Health Authority, making B.C.’s Aboriginal people the first in Canada to take control of their own health care. Health Canada will provide $83.5 million over six years. “The eyes of the world are on us. There are 300 million Indigenous people in 70 different countries and by and large they are marginalized and in poor health,” Dr. Evan Adams, First Nations provincial health officer, told the Vancouver Sun.
“We know the old model has limited success in Canada.
Governance of health programs from a distance—Ottawa—isn’t working.” Presently, Aboriginal people have to deal with three levels of health care service providers—federal, provincial and now their own level. This new system will see Health Canada give way to provincial and local authorities, who will streamline the process.

National public cord bank to increase chances of Aboriginal patients

Of more than 340,000 Canadians currently registered on the OneMatch Network, less than one per cent are Aboriginal. The provincial and territorial ministers of health have approved the Canadian Blood Services, which also operates the OneMatch Network, to establish and operate a national public cord blood bank with locations in Ottawa, Brampton, Edmonton and Vancouver. “Patients are most likely to find their matching donor with someone of similar ancestry. This is why more Aboriginal donors are needed to register with OneMatch,” said Jillian Adler, OneMatch Manager of Donor Recruitment, in a news release.

Saskatchewan implements new TB strategy

Calling Tuberculosis a “significant health issue, particularly among First Nations and Métis populations,” the Saskatchewan government has invested $500,000 to support a new TB strategy. Saskatchewan’s TB rate is 7.5 cases per 100,000 people while the national average is 4.7 cases. Every year, 80 to 90 new cases of TB are diagnosed in the province, with 80 per cent of those cases being people living on reserve. The Saskatchewan Provincial Tuberculosis Strategy takes a patient-centred, community-designed, team-delivered approach to build on the care and services already in place to better serve residents with tuberculosis and those at risk of developing it. The strategy was developed through extensive consultation with partners, including TB Control Saskatchewan, health regions, communities, Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Branch, and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority.

HIV/AIDS pilot project expands to province

Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS, piloted in both Prince George and Vancouver, has been given the green light to expand to the rest of the province. Aboriginal health will be a primary focus as the men’s health program enters its third year. This year, Northern Health, of which Prince George is part, is looking to develop “a comprehensive network of Aboriginal men to address issues in their communities.” The health authority also wants to implement recommendations for a report that looked specifically at the health challenges facing Aboriginal men. Launched in 2011, the men’s health initiative aims to encourage men to be more proactive about their health and has used innovative online tools to spread the word. It has also produced printed material, a television documentary and staffed booths at community events to get its message out.

Study examined neurological issues through Aboriginal lens

A three-year project undertaken by the Native Women’s Association of Canada has come to an end. Results from Understanding from Within: Neurological Conditions among Aboriginal peoples—Research Report and Community Resources will be published in 2014. In 2010, NWAC received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to engage in a study that looked at filling in gaps in knowledge about individuals with neurological conditions, their families, and caregivers. The research team, led by Dr. Carrie Bourassa, associate professor at the First Nations University of Canada, and principal investigator, sought to examine neurological conditions through the lens of Aboriginal realities and worldviews. Major themes and sub themes emerged through the research, along with a series of recommendations intended to improve relations between the health care system and Aboriginal peoples, and to promote the importance of Aboriginal control of health service policy and delivery. In addition, the study showed that more research and further analysis of the research data is needed.

St. Paul Hospital takes steps to address Aboriginal needs

The newly opened All-Nations Sacred Space at St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver is an inclusive area designated for smudging and pipe ceremonies so Aboriginal patients can receive traditional healing. The space is decorated with Coast-Salish designed art, a rug, semi-circular benches and cedar-effect flooring. Providence Health Care has installed a ventilation system for the smoke. St. Paul’s has also created an Aboriginal nurse practice leader position. Carol Kellman, the daughter of the first Cree woman to graduate from St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing, will serve. Patients will be connected with First Nations Elders as part of their holistic health-care needs.