Advocates don’t trust N.B. health minister to do fair investigation into mystery illness
to the bottom of it. The lives of over 500 individuals are at stake, and their suffering cannot continue to be ignored or brushed aside.
The revelation that Health Minister Dr. John Dornan played a role in the removal of Dr. Alier Marrero from the Moncton Interdisciplinary Neurodegenerative Diseases Clinic has raised serious concerns among advocates for patients suffering from unexplained neurological symptoms. The letter obtained by CBC News dated July 4, 2022, shows that Dornan, then CEO of the Horizon Health Network, informed Marrero that his participation in the clinic would cease due to deficiencies in his performance.
This news has led to questions about Dornan’s ability to lead an objective investigation into the mystery illness affecting hundreds of people in New Brunswick and other provinces. Patient advocates like Stacie Quigley Cormier are calling on Premier Susan Holt to intervene and ensure that the investigation is led by the Public Health Agency of Canada to avoid any conflicts of interest.
The timeline of events surrounding the mystery illness, from the first case in 2015 to the creation of a provincial oversight committee in 2022, has been marred by delays, conflicting information, and bureaucratic red tape. Patients like Gabrielle Cormier have had to navigate through a system that seems more focused on paperwork than on finding answers to their debilitating symptoms.
Advocates like Lori Ann Roness are demanding transparency, independent scientific investigation, and accountability from government officials. They are urging politicians and bureaucrats to prioritize the health and well-being of the affected individuals over political interests or bureaucratic processes.
The number of patients suffering from unexplained neurological symptoms has now reached 507, with 50 deaths reported. Despite the mounting evidence and urgent pleas from Dr. Marrero, the investigation seems to be at a standstill, with paperwork and administrative hurdles preventing progress.
Patient advocates are asking the tough questions and pushing for action to be taken before more lives are lost. They are calling for a thorough, multidisciplinary investigation that considers all possibilities, including environmental factors like chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides.
The time for delays and excuses is over. The people of New Brunswick and other provinces affected by this mystery illness deserve answers, solutions, and most importantly, compassion and support from their government. It is time for those in power to step up, listen to the voices of the advocates and patients, and take decisive action to address this urgent public health crisis.
