First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

[Shiloh]

Source: http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l..._h1n1_conference_090622/20090622?hub=Winnipeg

First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

Updated: Mon Jun. 22 2009 11:54:58

ctvwinnipeg.ca

First nations groups from across the province have gathered in Winnipeg to learn how to deal with the H1N1 flu pandemic.

It's part of a three day training program.

Staff from about 30 first nations are taking part.

They're learning things like how to communicate with the community during a pandemic, as well as how to mobilize the community, and provide resources and supplies.

Organizers hope to help community leaders better deal with the H1N1 flu pandemic, which is expected to become more severe this fall.

Some northern first nations have been already been hit hard by the flu outbreak, with dozens of people being flown to Winnipeg for treatment.

CTV's Shaneen Robinson is following this story.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

Source: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2009/23/c9443.html

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
AFN says urgent measures on H1N1 must be in place before the fall

OTTAWA, June 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, AFN Regional Chief Angus Toulouse
who holds the portfolio for health called for three urgent measures to improve
the response to pandemic outbreaks of H1N1 in First Nations communities.
These include: striking an independent taskforce to study the recent
outbreaks in Ontario and Manitoba and make recommendations to ensure more
seamless service; developing and instituting national guidelines for service
to First Nations; and providing investments that will allow every First Nation
to develop a pandemic plan, as well as investing in Annex B which is the
portion of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan that addresses outbreaks in
First Nations.
"So far the majority of H1N1 cases have been mild, but if this outbreak
had been more virulent our communities would have been devastated," said
Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, who pointed out that the World Health
Organization (WHO) has warned that H1N1 could reappear in the fall and cause
more severe illness. "There is an urgent need to ensure every First Nations
community across Canada can equally access emergency health services before
the fall."
As outbreaks of H1N1 spread through northern Manitoba and Ontario over
the last few months, First Nations communities witnessed delays in receiving
urgently needed medical supplies, or breakdowns in communications between
provincial and federal governments and a lack of consistency in managing the
outbreaks between the provinces. It was also clear that measures aimed at
containing the virus were ill-suited to the social realities of First Nations,
for example being told to avoid contact with others while living in cramped
and overcrowded conditions or being told to wash their hands frequently when
running water was not available.
The Regional Chief blamed a lack of national standards for the
inconsistencies. He added that while Canada invested $1 billion into the
Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan, no investments were made into Annex B, the
guidelines that federal, provincial and territorial governments should follow
when addressing outbreaks in First Nations communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been clear that there is a link
between the severity of influenza cases and pre-existing chronic diseases,
living in poor and overcrowded housing, poor-quality drinking water and
sub-standard healthcare.
"Conditions in many of our communities are akin to those of the
developing world. This has placed our communities at the highest level of risk
in Canada. Clearly, if there is no improvement in planning and services, the
worsening of this virus could have tragic consequences in the fall," said
Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.



For further information: Karyn Pugliese, AFN Heath Communications
Officer, (613) 292-1877, kpugliese@afn.ca

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

Thank you Shiloh for posting.

I have been invited to Ottawa to address some of these issues.

We are very concerned about the public health of indigenous populations and spoke at length with WHO today about this issue.

 

[thebes]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

Hand sanitizers weren't immediately sent to first nations because of alcohol fears, Senate body told
By: Mia Rabson

23/06/2009 10:00 AM
OTTAWA - Hand sanitizers were not immediately sent to northern Manitoba first nations because government officials feared sending products with alcohol to aboriginal communities, the senior public health advisor for the Assembly of First Nations told a Senate committee this morning.

Dr. Kim Barker said it was just as easy to buy lysol in the same communities so to deny hand sanitizers fearing they would be used by alcohol addicts was "absolutely outrageous."

Barker said the H1N1 influenza is affecting first nations more than other populations and that Canada needs to immediately improve its pandemic planning for reserves.

She said the national plan is inadequate to address the realities of remote first nations.

The AFN is asking for an independent task force to study what happened in St. Theresa Point and other first nations and report back with improvements to be made before the flu season returns in the fall.

The senate will hear from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency later this morning.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/breakingnews/Hand-48876827.html

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

"absolutely outrageous."

I agree!!!

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

:surrender:hand-sanitizers gel ... I think it would be very hard to drink... But perhaps these people don't known the value of the words they are saying.

Sad. Very sad.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: First nations leaders in Winnipeg for H1N1 conference

It was well known that aboriginal communities would be badly hit by a pandemic and would need significant help before, during and after a pandemic.

It is not too late to take action.