Feds Studying Wait Times For Native Diabetics

Friday, January 05, 2007 at 15:41

 

 

The federal government is prepared to spend $3.7 million to create a wait-times guarantee for Aboriginal people who face diabetes-related foot ulcers and possible amputations.

 

Health Minister Tony Clement says if successful, the pilot project on Manitoba reserves will be used to establish a national program.

 

Clement says the diabetes rate among Aboriginal people is disproportionately higher than in the rest of the population, and they also have more amputations and other complications.

 

Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says Aboriginal people often can’t access timely health-care services because they’re living on remote or isolated reserves.

 

(courtesy of Broadcast News)