Good morning, Other Siders!

It's time for another edition of "The Other Side of the Care," and boy, oh boy, do we have some medical mischief and global healthcare hilarity in store for you! 🏥😄

On this joyous July 19th, we're not just celebrating National Daiquiri Day 🍷(although we wish we could prescribe one to all our hardworking healthcare heroes!) but also raising our spirits to share the latest healthcare scoops from the Great White North and beyond! So, get ready to dive into laughter and knowledge with us – it's the perfect remedy for a healthy dose of happiness!

Let’s dive into the quirkiest news, the silliest anecdotes, and the downright bizarre happenings in healthcare. Remember, laughter is the best medicine, but we've got the rest of the care covered too!

News that impacts you!

🇨🇦🔬 Mapping the Fight Against Cancer!

The Canadian Cancer Society just dropped some big news! They've unveiled a brand new strategy to tackle the gaps in cancer data collection across the country. And it's about time, folks! This is the first national health strategy that zeros in on cancer-specific challenges. So, what's the deal? Well, this new strategy is the first of its kind, solely focused on cancer-specific challenges. The goal is to gather better data on cancer in Canada, which means better policies and health care for cancer patients. 💊💉

Currently, cancer data is scattered all over the place, making it hard to get a full picture. 🤷 But with this new strategy, they plan to streamline the process, linking old and new data for a seamless view of trends in cancer statistics and treatments.

And here's a crucial part: they're making sure Indigenous communities lead their data collection efforts. 🌾💪 It's essential to understand the impact on First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities to bridge health equity gaps.

🤩 The $46B Health Care Experiment! 💰🔍 

So you know how doctors first assess your health before treating you? Well, turns out our government needs to do the same with our health care system! 🏥 A research project led by Professor Haizhen Mou reveals that past health accords lacked proper data to measure their impact. But wait, there's hope! PM Justin Trudeau's offering $46 billion to overhaul health data collection, make it accessible, and harmonize it nationwide. All we want to say after reading this is FINALLY!! Our healthcare system has been in need of serious monitoring and evaluation.

That being said, the big question here is:

🩺💔 Foreign Doctors Barred from Helping

You know what's not cool? Preventing qualified doctors from helping when we need them most! 😤

In Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, two foreign-trained medical professionals are eager to volunteer at the local health center, but the territorial government said, "Nope, no volunteer program here!" 🙅‍♂️🙅‍♀️ And this is happening all over the country!

With a shortage of medical workers in both big cities and remote communities, this is a massive problem! 😱 James and Sibonginkosi completed their medical training, and passed licensing exams, but they can't do a residency without experience. So, no chance to work as a doctor. 😞

Meanwhile, other provinces have "Practice-Ready Assessment" to help international grads, but Nunavut's missing out! 🏥 And now, the federal government's recruiting more healthcare workers through immigration. Great, but what about the ones already here? 🤷‍♂️

👀 Surprise! Vital Heart Med Disappears! 💔

A crucial heart medication shortage is making things rough for patients needing stress tests to check for coronary artery disease. Dipyridamole, that's the culprit. It helps doctors monitor blood flow through the heart during the test. But production delays mean we'll have to wait even longer for results! 😔 Patients might be prioritized differently, and some could face longer waits for assistance.

To top it off, a bunch of folks have sadly passed away while waiting for medical help. Health Canada's allowing imports from the U.S. to cope with the shortage, but we're still left wondering why this is happening in the first place.

💭Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at [email protected]

Tools & Tech to Keep a Tab On!

✈💊 A Special Delivery by Air Might Be Coming Your Way…

Now self-flying planes will be used to deliver cargo to remote areas in Canada through a new deal between the federal government and a start-up named Ribbit. The deal is for a year and enables Ribbit to demonstrate its ‘self-flying’ technology. In the words of the COO, the aim is “ to make transportation more accessible and reliable for everyone”. It will enable the delivery of medicine, food, and other essential commodities so that no one is left out. The company will provide the plane, a remote crew, and maintenance support for coverage across the rural north. Here is another reason to keep your eye on the sky!

📅⏰ Never Miss an Appointment with Noona!

Noona, a new app launched under the Nova Scotia Health project will enable cancer patients to access appointment schedules, reminders, and reschedule when needed. It is a significant move from leaving phone messages to using an app. Acknowledging that not everyone would have access to smart devices, an alternative is also being considered. The aim is to improve access, communication, and monitoring of patient symptoms. Features will be rolled out in phases with the first one being ‘scheduling’ and it will surely be interesting to see what’s next.

🛤️ Pathfinders for Indigenous Health Care

The role of a health system ‘navigator’ is gaining much-needed attention as an essential link between modern medicine and indigenous practice. For example, Mi'kmaw health systems navigators are helping people in their community access services that they would otherwise feel uncomfortable accessing due to racism experienced in the past.

The navigators provide support at multiple steps related to mental health, surgery, long-term care, addictions, etc. The aim is to ensure indigenous people understand care paths, exercise their rights, and access services made available to them. Acknowledging the criticality of the role and need in the long-term, Health P.E.I. signed an agreement to fund half of the position and one more like it, however, the positions are also receiving federal funding. This proves how a little support can go a long way…

Evolving Global Health

🇺🇸 💊 Opill: Removing Access Barriers & Unintended Pregnancies

Opill, the first hormonal contraceptive pill has been approved by the FDA for sale without a prescription. However, the pill will only be made available next year. The pill contains progestin and is taken daily. Although approved as a prescription pill in 1973, the newer and OTC version is for all within reproductive age.

Similar to other prescription oral contraceptives, Opill was also found to be 93% effective in preventing pregnancies. Although concerns have been raised about who should take the pill and what the side effects might be, the FDA still maintained that women can make their own decision about how appropriate the medication would be for them. The pills will be available at drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and even online. This does come as a win for those who have been fighting for women’s reproductive rights.

🇬🇧 🚨 Making Records: Longest Strike in the British Health System’s History

Since Thursday, tens of thousands of doctors in England have launched a five-day strike over pay. The ask is for a 35% pay rise to bring junior doctors' pay back to 2008 levels taking inflation into account.

Things are not any easier as the pandemic has led to an increase in the workload from the long patient waitlists for treatment. Furthermore, the doctors are demanding that quick action be taken without maintaining the stance of no negotiation while strikes are ongoing. Regardless of the outcome, it is the patients that are currently at risk of care being delayed or cancelled due to the current situation.

🌍 Expansion in access to Malaria Vaccines 💉🦟

Despite ongoing efforts, Africa still has a prevalence of Malaria and in 2021 accounted for 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Given the gravity of the situation, GAVI (Global Vaccine Alliance) shared that 12 countries in Africa would receive 18 million doses of malaria vaccine over the next two years. By the last quarter of 2023, the first doses of the RTS, S vaccine are expected to reach 12 African countries. The new nine countries to receive the vaccine include Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda. The RTS, S vaccine is the first vaccine against a parasitic disease and acts against Plasmodium falciparum which is the deadliest malaria parasite. Expanding access to the vaccine demonstrates the importance of taking such innovations from the lab to the last mile.

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