August 18, 2009
Province Supports H1N1 Preparednesss Kits for First Nations Families
The provincial government is distributing this news release on behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Government of Manitoba.
First Nations families and communities will be better prepared for H1N1 this fall with provincial support for medicine kits announced today by Assembly of Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans and Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“On behalf of the First Nations of Manitoba, I wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to Minister Oswald for this offer. In our conversations we have always said the best way to help ease the threat from H1N1 is to focus on the people and not the politics,” said Evans. “I would like to thank Minister Oswald for her unwavering commitment to the health of First Nations people in this province.”
Manitoba has offered medical expertise from the Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer and the Aboriginal health advisor on H1N1 issues, to offer advice on this initiative.
“We know that there has been an association between severe illness from H1N1 and people of First Nations descent, so we are committed to take action to help protect their health,” said Oswald. “We commend the leadership of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for taking this important step and are pleased to be a funding partner.”
This commitment builds on Manitoba’s Work with First Nation communities which includes:
- the appointment of a special advisor on H1N1 issues affecting Aboriginal people,
- ongoing communications with First Nation leaders about needed supplies and resources, and
- responding to a request for supplies from First Nations and Inuit Health in June by providing:
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- 2,640 N-95 respirator masks,
- 9,000 surgical masks,
- 45 treatment courses of Tamiflu, and
- 858 litres of hand sanitizer
The province will invest in the balance that AMC requires to compile the kits and to assist with distribution where necessary.
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