British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is providing more funding to recruit and retain more health-care workers. Dix speaks during an announcement at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

B.C. investing $156M into rural health worker recruiting and retention

Audiologists, dietitians, lab technologists and radiation therapists among the fields targeted

 

The weight-loss drug Wegovy is shown in this undated handout photo. The makers of Ozempic say the weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday, May 6. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Weight loss drug Wegovy arriving in Canada next week

Drug to be used to treat obesity and related medical conditions, not intended for ‘cosmetic’ use

 

FILE - Containers of Zyn, a Phillip Morris smokeless nicotine pouch, are displayed for sale among other nicotine and tobacco products at a newsstand Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in New York. The product has been making big headlines, sparking debate about whether new nicotine-based alternatives intended for adults may be catching on with underage teens and adolescents. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

What to know about Zyn, the tiny nicotine pouch that’s sparked a big health debate

A tiny Philip Morris product called Zyn has been making big headlines,…

 

A lab technician works in a mobile lab at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg on Nov. 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pool, Reuters - Lyle Stafford

MPs grill health agency on fired National Microbiology Lab scientists

Scientists accused of playing down their collaborations with Chinese government agencies

A lab technician works in a mobile lab at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg on Nov. 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pool, Reuters - Lyle Stafford
A cervix self-screening kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Doctors say Canadians are dying because of outdated cancer screenings

Guidelines for some common cancers conflict with the opinions of specialists in those areas

A cervix self-screening kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Smokers and vapers will be the target of a new tax unveiled April 16 by Canada’s federal government. Photo Lindsay Fox/EcigaretteReviewed.com

Budget 2024: Smokers and vapers to help pay for increased drug spending

New taxes expected to curb smoking, add $1.7B to federal coffers

Smokers and vapers will be the target of a new tax unveiled April 16 by Canada’s federal government. Photo Lindsay Fox/EcigaretteReviewed.com
Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Devon Black won the Jack Layton Progress Prize for their work spearheading the AccessBC campaign, which successfully lobbied the provincial government to provide free prescription contraception.

Saanich councillor wins award in Ottawa for B.C.’s free contraception campaign

Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Devon Black won the Jack Layton Progress Prize award for AccessBC

  • Apr 16, 2024
Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Devon Black won the Jack Layton Progress Prize for their work spearheading the AccessBC campaign, which successfully lobbied the provincial government to provide free prescription contraception.
The emergency room at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was closed overnight on March 9 due to a physician shortage. Along with the emergency room closure, Prince Rupert residents are worried about healthcare staffing shortages, with an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the area or retiring. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)

B.C.’s rural communities need more from health authorities: UBC prof

Dr. Jude Kornelsen says transparency, communication needed to improve trust, effectiveness

The emergency room at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was closed overnight on March 9 due to a physician shortage. Along with the emergency room closure, Prince Rupert residents are worried about healthcare staffing shortages, with an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the area or retiring. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)
As of March 31, 2024 BC Emergency Health Services has responded to 54 drug poisonings in the Williams Lake area. (Monica Lamb-Yorski file photo Williams Lake Tribune)

Tiny communities in B.C.’s Chilcotin grappling with pain of drug poisonings

Tsideldel, Xeni Gwet’in chiefs say residents are healing in the face of addiction

As of March 31, 2024 BC Emergency Health Services has responded to 54 drug poisonings in the Williams Lake area. (Monica Lamb-Yorski file photo Williams Lake Tribune)
B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)

B.C.’s nurses support harm reduction, but call for additional safety measures

BC Nurses’ Union President Gear says ‘instances’ of illicit substance consumption happen around B.C.

B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)
Matilda Atleo, an Indigenous educator in diabetes for the First Nations Health Authority, shares diabetes information with attendees at Ahousaht’s Food Sovereignty Event in late March. (Alexandra Mehl photo)

High rates of Indigenous diabetes spark push for better B.C. services

On-reserve rates of diabetes are considerably higher than the national rate

  • Apr 8, 2024
Matilda Atleo, an Indigenous educator in diabetes for the First Nations Health Authority, shares diabetes information with attendees at Ahousaht’s Food Sovereignty Event in late March. (Alexandra Mehl photo)
Canadians waiting longer for surgeries and other procedures compared to 2019, according to a report released Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. (File)

Canada’s surgical wait lists still below pre-pandemic standards: report

57 per cent of British Columbians getting knee replacement surgeries within benchmark

Canadians waiting longer for surgeries and other procedures compared to 2019, according to a report released Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. (File)
Ross Lane, 76, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in early 2023. He poses beside Jet, his 12-year-old black poodle. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

‘My muscles forget’: B.C. people talk about the impact of Parkinson’s

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Canada, disease affects 17,500 people in B.C.

Ross Lane, 76, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in early 2023. He poses beside Jet, his 12-year-old black poodle. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.

Leaked memo sparks heated debate about drug use in northern B.C. hospitals

Northern Health memo says ‘patients can use substances while in hospital in their rooms’

Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.
Walter Tauro, an 88-year-old former real estate agent, shown in this handout image provided by his son Lionel Tauro, says he's feeling good about receiving the recognition earlier this month after his body successfully accepted a new kidney last year. The Ontario resident has defeated the odds and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest kidney transplant recipient. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lionel Tauro

World’s oldest kidney transplant recipient doing fine in Toronto suburb

Walter Tauro feeling healthy and enjoying life in Markham at 88

Walter Tauro, an 88-year-old former real estate agent, shown in this handout image provided by his son Lionel Tauro, says he's feeling good about receiving the recognition earlier this month after his body successfully accepted a new kidney last year. The Ontario resident has defeated the odds and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest kidney transplant recipient. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lionel Tauro
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Tam issued a statement Wednesday saying the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada so far this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s measles count hits 40 as top doc urges vaccinations

Teresa Tam says not enough children adequately vaccinated against highly contagious virus

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Tam issued a statement Wednesday saying the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada so far this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Visitors outside the entrance of Nanaimo District Regional Hospital in the spring of 2016. John McKinley file photo

B.C. medical students offer 5-point plan for fixing emergency care

By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE TYEE Medical students at…

  • Mar 26, 2024
Visitors outside the entrance of Nanaimo District Regional Hospital in the spring of 2016. John McKinley file photo
Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia, along with the Northwest Territories, has the most extensive scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Canada, including the ability to prescribe drugs and the option to be certified to administer vaccines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Medical doctors say naturopathic doctors no solution to primary care crisis

Debate over whether trained naturopaths have the skillset to be a patient’s primary care provider

Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia, along with the Northwest Territories, has the most extensive scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Canada, including the ability to prescribe drugs and the option to be certified to administer vaccines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
For social media companies, how to address health information has become a perennial question that has only grown in importance as the number of platforms multiplied and people began spending increasing amounts of time online. Now, it’s not uncommon to spot medical misinformation with almost every scroll.This March 18, 2010, file photo shows the YouTube website in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Richard Vogel

Health misinformation creates ‘whack-a-mole’ situation for tech platforms

World Health Organization analysis found misinformation in up to 51 per cent of social media posts

For social media companies, how to address health information has become a perennial question that has only grown in importance as the number of platforms multiplied and people began spending increasing amounts of time online. Now, it’s not uncommon to spot medical misinformation with almost every scroll.This March 18, 2010, file photo shows the YouTube website in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Richard Vogel
Dr. Francois Erasmus will be leaving the 2nd Ave Medical Clinic on June 1, one of an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the Prince Rupert area in the coming months. Many residents are concerned that the departing physicians will increase the amount of emergency room closures at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. There have already been four emergency room closures since March 8. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)

Prince Rupert residents fear the worst as doctors leave community

Couple cconsidering leaving city after 40 years due to growing health care concerns

Dr. Francois Erasmus will be leaving the 2nd Ave Medical Clinic on June 1, one of an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the Prince Rupert area in the coming months. Many residents are concerned that the departing physicians will increase the amount of emergency room closures at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. There have already been four emergency room closures since March 8. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)