Quebec ‘closely monitoring’ tuberculosis in Nunavik, minister says, as doctors call for more resources
Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dubé has stated that the province’s public health service is closely monitoring the increasing number of tuberculosis cases in Nunavik. This comes after the mayors of the region’s 14 Inuit communities wrote a letter calling for the declaration of a public health emergency.
“We take this situation very seriously,” said Dubé’s office in a statement to CBC News. “We will continue to follow the recommendations of public health experts on this subject.”
According to Quebec’s health department, as of June 7, there have been 56 reported cases of tuberculosis in Nunavik this year, surpassing the 40 cases mentioned in the mayors’ letter. Six communities in Nunavik are currently experiencing outbreaks of the disease, with the region on track to set a record for the third consecutive year in terms of the number of cases.
Yassen Tcholakov, the clinical lead on infectious diseases for the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, expressed concern over the situation. He stated that the region’s tuberculosis rates are comparable to those in countries with minimal health resources, and untreated cases can lead to fatalities within a few years.
Tcholakov emphasized the urgent need for resources to address the rising number of cases in Nunavik, as well as the long-term health consequences faced by those who survive the disease. He echoed the mayors’ call for a public health emergency as a cry for help and a recognition that the current healthcare system is not meeting the needs of the population.
In response to the mayors’ letter, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec has mobilized teams to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. While the department has not committed to declaring a public health emergency, it acknowledged the challenges faced by Nunavik in providing quality and continuous care to its residents.
Faiz Ahmad Khan, a respirologist at the McGill University Health Centre who works in Nunavik, highlighted the chronic shortage of medical resources in the region. He supported the mayors’ call for a public health emergency, emphasizing the need for additional resources to improve tuberculosis screening and treatment services.
Khan expressed concern over the potential for more deaths from tuberculosis in Nunavik if the resource shortages are not addressed promptly. He stressed the importance of taking decisive action to prevent further fatalities and ensure access to timely and effective healthcare services for the region’s residents.
