Stop privatization of health care, coalitions tell Canada’s premiers

Canada
Published 11.07.2023
Stop privatization of health care, coalitions tell Canada’s premiers

Health coalitions from throughout the nation are calling for Canada’s premiers, who’re assembly this week in Winnipeg, to cease the privatization of well being care and introduce common pharmacare.

Hundreds of individuals, together with a number of well being and labour unions, rallied by Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel Tuesday – the location of a gathering between Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers.

“It seems to be a shame that the money has been spent on private agencies when we really need it poured back into our public system,” mentioned Darlene Jackson, the president of the Manitoba Nurses Union.

Health-care representatives met with the premiers Tuesday morning. The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions put ahead a number of suggestions together with minimal nurse-to-patient ratios and setting limits on secure hours of steady work.

President Linda Silas says the premiers had been receptive.

“We’re asking the premiers to really think and invest in our public health-care system,” mentioned Silas. “Do not waste our valuable {dollars} within the personal system. Every neighborhood wants nice well being care providers and that’s by way of a public system.

“We need to make the health care jobs the best jobs in our community and that will solve our crisis.”

Stop privatization of health care, coalitions tell Canada’s premiers
Health coalitions, staff and sufferers protest in Winnipeg as Canada’s premiers collect to debate well being care on July 11, 2023. (Alex Karpa/CityNews)

Nurse vacancies

Nurse vacancies proceed to develop throughout Canada.

Jackson says Manitoba has one of many highest nursing vacancies throughout the nation, sitting at 2,800. She says front-line health-care suppliers should be on the desk with the premiers.

“I don’t know a nurse that doesn’t come forward with an issue that doesn’t have a solution to it,” mentioned Jackson. “The solutions don’t necessarily have to cost a great deal of money, but they’re solutions that could be put into action quickly and can actually provide relief for staff and hopefully retain nurses in the system.”


MORE FROM PREMIERS’ MEETING:


‘They want to enhance’

Patients along with well being staff joined the rally Tuesday.

Winnipegger Mark Olfert was compelled to have his knee alternative surgical procedure carried out in Ontario because of the ongoing surgical backlog. He says if he didn’t depart the province, he would have been compelled to attend one other two-and-a-half years for the surgical procedure.

“We should have better care here at home,” mentioned Olfert. “We shouldn’t have to travel out of the province to get care. They need to improve on that big time.”

Commenting on the rally, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson mentioned everybody has a proper to precise their opinions. She says she was blissful to satisfy with well being representatives.

“We had a great discussion today on health care within our own provincial areas and territorial areas about how we can work together, learn best practices from other jurisdictions as well. It was a positive day today,” mentioned the premier.

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