The Province has appointed an Aboriginal health advisor on H1N1 flu issues to work with First Nations communities, leadership organizations and the federal government to further strengthen communication, co-ordination and response to the H1N1 influenza.
Dr. Catherine Cook, currently the executive director of the WRHA’s Aboriginal Health Program, has been appointed to the new position. She will be working with First Nations organizations to strengthen H1N1 surveillance and communication structures to help communities monitor and respond to the disease.
Earlier this spring, a number of Manitoba’s First Nations communities were hit hard by the H1N1 flu. Two MGEU paramedic members in Winnipeg were exposed to the virus when they picked up H1N1 infected patients without knowing the patients were carrying the virus. Even though the members did not contract the virus, the MGEU asked the Province to review its communications policies for dispatch following the incident.
Since then, the province has announced changes which would allow air ambulances to be dispatched more quickly. Manitoba Health has arranged with the federal First Nation and Inuit Health Branch to take over dispatch of air ambulances during an outbreak, freeing up nursing station staff to care for patients.
Today’s announcement is one more positive step in improving communication and co-ordination for a possible fall outbreak.