Healthcare

Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell

Medical treatment offers hope for those living with myasthenia gravis

Courtenay resident Linda MacMullen was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2001,…

Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell
International Development Minister and Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Minister Harjit Sajjan rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, April 4, 2022. Sajjan says he told Canadian officials in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to ensure that women sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the help they need — including access to abortions if they wish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ukrainian victims of sexual violence need reproductive health care: Sajjan

Women, girls coming to Canada will be given access to abortions if they want them, says minister

International Development Minister and Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Minister Harjit Sajjan rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, April 4, 2022. Sajjan says he told Canadian officials in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to ensure that women sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the help they need — including access to abortions if they wish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Davis Graham, aka Pencil Fingerz, donated this original painting to B.C. Emergency Health Services. (Submitted by BCEHS)

B.C. artist ‘Pencil Fingerz’ donates painting to honour paramedics

Additionally, 5,000 limited edition prints will be made and given to every paramedic in B.C.

Davis Graham, aka Pencil Fingerz, donated this original painting to B.C. Emergency Health Services. (Submitted by BCEHS)
Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. family doctor shortage sparks hundreds to rally in Victoria

Advocates say 1 in 5 people in B.C. lack a general practitioner

  • May 19, 2022
Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Nurses at Langley Memorial Hospital are among the many nurses around the world who provide care. May 12 is International Nurses Day. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A salute to nurses

May 9 to 15 is National Nursing Week in Canada and a time to recognize the work done by nurses

Nurses at Langley Memorial Hospital are among the many nurses around the world who provide care. May 12 is International Nurses Day. (Black Press file photo)
Protesters fill the front steps of the legislature Tuesday at a rally for the BC Nurses’ Union during National Nursing Week. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

“Mortal’ B.C. nurses rally at legislature, call for better working conditions

Many B.C. nurses considering leaving jobs, union vice-president says

  • May 10, 2022
Protesters fill the front steps of the legislature Tuesday at a rally for the BC Nurses’ Union during National Nursing Week. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

$45M sexual, reproductive health fund not yet released a year later: advocates

Health Canada says it has signed nine contribution agreements

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Parents in Kelowna lack confidence in the vaccination (Metro Creative Graphics Photo)

Majority of B.C. parents vaccinated, but most kids are not

Parents in B.C. say they are wary of mRNA vaccination technology when it comes to their kids

Parents in Kelowna lack confidence in the vaccination (Metro Creative Graphics Photo)
Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive immediate health coverage

Community support groups say prescription drugs, mental health counselling needed

Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Noah Peppin, who has been seizure-free for nearly five years, with his mom and dad, Stephanie Vazquez and Mark Peppin. (Contributed photo)

B.C. boy at risk of life-threatening seizures ‘discharged’ from rescue-medication program

Noah Peppin hasn’t had a seizure in nearly five years, but will never be out of the woods: mom

Noah Peppin, who has been seizure-free for nearly five years, with his mom and dad, Stephanie Vazquez and Mark Peppin. (Contributed photo)
A GoFundMe campaign has begun to raise money for the parents of nine-month-old Logan Bishop of Abbotsford, who has so far had five open-heart surgeries and requires ongoing medical treatment.

5 surgeries at just 9 months old: Fundraiser launched for Abbotsford baby with heart condition

Logan Bishop, 9 months, has spent most of his life in hospital

A GoFundMe campaign has begun to raise money for the parents of nine-month-old Logan Bishop of Abbotsford, who has so far had five open-heart surgeries and requires ongoing medical treatment.
Health Minister Adrian Dix arrives to discuss details about the latest restrictions announced around gatherings due to the surge of the COVID-19 variant Omicron during a news conference in Victoria on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. The incoming president of a group that represents orthopedic surgeons across British Columbia is questioning the health minister’s claims that nearly all surgeries that were cancelled in the first and later waves of the pandemic have been completed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Patients in B.C. waiting too long for surgery, not being counted by province: doctor

The incoming leader of a group that represents surgeons across British Columbia…

Health Minister Adrian Dix arrives to discuss details about the latest restrictions announced around gatherings due to the surge of the COVID-19 variant Omicron during a news conference in Victoria on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. The incoming president of a group that represents orthopedic surgeons across British Columbia is questioning the health minister’s claims that nearly all surgeries that were cancelled in the first and later waves of the pandemic have been completed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
NDP MP Don Davies speaks during a news conference on blood plasma clinics in Ottawa, Tuesday, November 15, 2016. NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberals to make good its promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

NDP expects phased-in approach to national pharmacare promise in deal with Liberals

Liberals have promised the NDP to pass a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of next year

NDP MP Don Davies speaks during a news conference on blood plasma clinics in Ottawa, Tuesday, November 15, 2016. NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberals to make good its promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

$164 million health-care linked, eviction-free housing project coming to B.C.

100 complex-care spaces to be created in Greater Victoria, among 500 across B.C. by 2023

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Emergency-room nurse Eram Chhogala poses for a photograph at a park near her home, in Toronto, Thursday, March 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Two years in, no moving on from COVID-19 for Canada’s exhausted health-care workers

40 health organizations called for urgent government action to address ailing system

Emergency-room nurse Eram Chhogala poses for a photograph at a park near her home, in Toronto, Thursday, March 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
FILE – Cariboo Memorial Hospital staff were moved to tears Sunday evening, Sept. 19, when first responders drove past the hospital in a salute to health care workers, complete with lights and sirens. Health care workers in B.C. have faced increased pressures brought on by a fourth wave of COVID-19. (Angie Mindus video photo)

B.C. prioritizes health care, social workers in changes to immigration program

Amid staffing shortages in health care, B.C. is implementing a new program…

FILE – Cariboo Memorial Hospital staff were moved to tears Sunday evening, Sept. 19, when first responders drove past the hospital in a salute to health care workers, complete with lights and sirens. Health care workers in B.C. have faced increased pressures brought on by a fourth wave of COVID-19. (Angie Mindus video photo)
Providing day-to-day support for a loved one can take a toll on the caregiver. Photo: Unsplash.com

Who cares for the caregiver? A B.C. senior’s struggle to care for her husband

Elder abuse and caregiver self-neglect are more common than you think: Seniors Advocate

Providing day-to-day support for a loved one can take a toll on the caregiver. Photo: Unsplash.com
Michael Amyot is recovering at Vancouver General Hospital after undergoing a lung transplant. (Photo submitted by Michael Amyot)
Michael Amyot is recovering at Vancouver General Hospital after undergoing a lung transplant. (Photo submitted by Michael Amyot)
Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)

Regulations prevent foreign-trained B.C. doctor from practising

Despite severe doctor shortage, international medical graduates face years of barriers in Canada

Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)
FILE – Registered nurse Dana Pagazzi receives supplies as she attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. funds 602 new seats at post-secondary institutions to address nursing shortage

The province is funding an additional 602 new nursing seats at post-secondary…

FILE – Registered nurse Dana Pagazzi receives supplies as she attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward