Health

The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. In B.C. Specialists ranging from cardiologists, pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons are pushing the British Columbia government to alleviate backlogs that have exacerbated wait times. It comes as the head of the Canadian Medical Association says it's time for innovative solutions to address the same problem across the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Specialists join forces to push B.C. for same recognition as family doctors

‘Patients are getting sicker and dying on our wait-lists’

The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. In B.C. Specialists ranging from cardiologists, pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons are pushing the British Columbia government to alleviate backlogs that have exacerbated wait times. It comes as the head of the Canadian Medical Association says it's time for innovative solutions to address the same problem across the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Calgary resident Sarah Olson is seen in an undated handout photo. Olson, a kindergarten teacher, hopes the findings of a study linking long COVID to autoimmune disease will lead to treatment for people like her, so they no longer have to struggle with debilitating symptoms. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Olson

Canadian study builds on link between long COVID and autoimmune diseases

Abnormal antibodies known to cause autoimmune disease, persisted in patients a year after infection

Calgary resident Sarah Olson is seen in an undated handout photo. Olson, a kindergarten teacher, hopes the findings of a study linking long COVID to autoimmune disease will lead to treatment for people like her, so they no longer have to struggle with debilitating symptoms. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Olson
Dr. Katharine Smart is shown in an undated handout photo. As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association is calling for a national licensing pathway for doctors — and some provinces are on board.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association, *MANDATORY CREDIT

Calls grow to streamline licensing for doctors as health-care systems struggle

As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the…

Dr. Katharine Smart is shown in an undated handout photo. As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association is calling for a national licensing pathway for doctors — and some provinces are on board.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association, *MANDATORY CREDIT
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) delivers a speech after his reelection, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 24, 2022. While the head of the World Health Organization says the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is “in sight,” some Canadian experts warn it would be premature to declare the global health crisis over.Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP

Deaths are declining, but the pandemic isn’t over yet, experts warn

World Health Organization says the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is ‘in sight’

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) delivers a speech after his reelection, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 24, 2022. While the head of the World Health Organization says the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is “in sight,” some Canadian experts warn it would be premature to declare the global health crisis over.Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Don’t blame schools for high COVID rates among B.C. youth: provincial health officer

Bonnie Henry study’s findings similar to those in other jurisdictions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Local governments are asking Victoria to give them a share of a recent settlement with a drug company. (Black Press file photo)

B.C. communities want a slice of $150 million Purdue Pharma Canada settlement

UBCM delegates say drug crisis is chewing up more local resources than they have

Local governments are asking Victoria to give them a share of a recent settlement with a drug company. (Black Press file photo)
The Union of B.C. Municipalities wants B.C.’s hospitals, emergency rooms, and ambulance services are open and available to 24 hours a day. Josh Berson photo

Communities make plea for urgent action to address B.C.’s emergency care crisis

UBCM delegates pass special resolution calling for more government support as ERs face closures

The Union of B.C. Municipalities wants B.C.’s hospitals, emergency rooms, and ambulance services are open and available to 24 hours a day. Josh Berson photo
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks in the press theatre at the British Columbia legislature in Victoria, Thursday, March 10, 2022. A study co-authored by Henry suggests at least 70 to 80 per cent of children and youth in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley have been infected with COVID-19, and most cases are associated with the highly infectious Omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Study co-authored by B.C.’s top doctor says 80% of kids have had COVID-19

Report focused on youth in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks in the press theatre at the British Columbia legislature in Victoria, Thursday, March 10, 2022. A study co-authored by Henry suggests at least 70 to 80 per cent of children and youth in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley have been infected with COVID-19, and most cases are associated with the highly infectious Omicron variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Syringes and vials of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen on a work surface during a drive through clinic at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Health Canada approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine today for use in young children six months to four years old. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids six months to four years old

Vaccine is the second to be approved for that age group in Canada

Syringes and vials of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen on a work surface during a drive through clinic at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont., Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Health Canada approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine today for use in young children six months to four years old. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
Angela Wright stands at a viewpoint along a trek she completed outside of Ghorepani, Nepal, despite being told she would never walk again. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo stroke survivor found her footing helping others after docs said she may not walk again

Angela Wright recognized for her advocacy for fellow younger stroke survivors

Angela Wright stands at a viewpoint along a trek she completed outside of Ghorepani, Nepal, despite being told she would never walk again. (Photo submitted)
A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope. In B.C. more than a quarter of adults don’t have a family physician. Those who do have one say it’s hard to get in. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle0

More than 60% of B.C. adults have no family doctor or poor access to one: poll

Of those who do have a family doctor, just 7% say they have easy access to them

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope. In B.C. more than a quarter of adults don’t have a family physician. Those who do have one say it’s hard to get in. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle0
It’s time to register for the Run for Hope, a fundraiser event organized by the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. (Submitted)

Run for Hope will follow repaired Coquihalla River trails

Registration only $10 and supports Fraser Canyon Hospital

It’s time to register for the Run for Hope, a fundraiser event organized by the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. (Submitted)
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update news conference in February 2022. On Tuesday (Sept. 6), she announced the province plans to roll out fourth dose invitations this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

4th COVID vaccine doses to roll out in B.C. as Omicron-specific shots arrive

More than 100,000 Moderna bivalent vaccine doses expected to arrive by Sept. 9

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update news conference in February 2022. On Tuesday (Sept. 6), she announced the province plans to roll out fourth dose invitations this week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cottage-Worthington Pavilion. (Abbotsford News file)

Nearly 200 Fraser Health jobs switching back to union positions

Housekeeping and food-service worker jobs were privately contracted for past 20 years

Cottage-Worthington Pavilion. (Abbotsford News file)
University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Make overdose education mandatory in B.C. schools amid drug emergency, advocates say

More than 10,000 deaths since B.C. declared toxic drug supply a public health emergency in 2016

University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
The mammography unit at Chilliwack General Hospital will be getting state-of-the-art equipment, according to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. It’s one of several projects the foundation is fundraising for. (FVHCF)

Jackpot growing for Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation’s 50/50 campaign

Fundraising campaign closes on Sept. 9; jackpot sitting at about $3,000

The mammography unit at Chilliwack General Hospital will be getting state-of-the-art equipment, according to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation. It’s one of several projects the foundation is fundraising for. (FVHCF)
B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses while speaking during a funding announcement for a planned middle-secondary school, in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Horgan cites ambulance ‘investment’ as he addresses Barriere infant death

Premier says the government is working with firefighters as well as the paramedics union

B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses while speaking during a funding announcement for a planned middle-secondary school, in Coquitlam, B.C., on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. A proposed overhaul of Canada’s decade-old drinking guidelines warns of increased health risks with as few as three drinks per week and calls for mandatory labelling of all alcoholic beverages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Proposed alcohol guidelines highlight health risks with just a few drinks per week

Risk negligible-to-low for two drinks per week, moderate for three-to-six drinks per week

Bottles of British Columbia wine on display at a liquor store in Cremona, Alta., on Feb. 7, 2018. A proposed overhaul of Canada’s decade-old drinking guidelines warns of increased health risks with as few as three drinks per week and calls for mandatory labelling of all alcoholic beverages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Heartbreaking loss’: B.C. agency looks into ambulance call after infant death report

BC Emergency Health Services will work with patient care quality office to reach out to the family

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Six emergency shifts at Port Hardy Hospital remain uncovered in September, according to minutes of a recent Island Health meeting. (Island Health photo)

Health-care crisis poised to escalate on Vancouver Island, leaked documents show

Three doctors expected to be working in September in Port Hardy, a community that needs seven

Six emergency shifts at Port Hardy Hospital remain uncovered in September, according to minutes of a recent Island Health meeting. (Island Health photo)