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Gerry Reid, MHA for the District of Twillingate-Fogo, said that yesterday’s
announcement by Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister Joan Burke
to remove three controversial recommendations from the Hay Report that
directly affected her district was nothing more than an attempt to use the
women of this province for her own political gain. "If this minister truly
wanted all women of the province to have equal access to health care, she
would have eliminated the recommendations in the report that will take away
the same services as Stephenville and negatively impact communities such as
St. Anthony and Port aux Basques," said Mr. Reid. "In my own district, there
are elderly women who are being told they cannot receive their treatment at
the new Fogo hospital because there is no space. These sick women are not
getting the respect and treatment they deserve, all because of a decision by
this government to close ten hospital beds. Where is Minister Burke on this
issue? Why is she not looking after the women in my district if she wants to
ensure the health needs of all women are met?
"The new hospital on Fogo Island has recently opened with only ten beds.
The facility was originally built to accommodate 20 beds, but government
cutbacks have downsized this hospital. Sick elderly women in my district are
being told that they are going to be discharged simply because there are no
beds to accommodate them. If the minister is truly concerned, she should
ensure equal rights to access and treatment for women across the province,
not only in her district where she wants to avoid embarrassing political
situations.
"The women of this province should be outraged that they are being used
as pawns. If the minister wants to be seen working on healthcare issues for
women, I suggest she should get involved and address all of the health
issues affecting women across the province. All women in Newfoundland and
Labrador deserve health care services, not only in her district. I suggest
she remember this the next time she makes such a blatantly political
decision."
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