Health Records Need To Be More Accessible: Doctor

Health Records Need To Be More Accessible: Doctor

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 at 12:01

 

 

A Prince Albert doctor says the immunization records of too many First Nations patients are falling through the cracks.

 

Dr. Khami Chokani says clinics often have to rely on patients’ memories, when determining which diseases they have been vaccinated for.

 

Chokani says the problem is that many band members’ records can only be accessed by Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

 

He’s hoping more bands can be convinced to sign onto data service agreements that will open up these records to provincial health providers.

 

“So that it is entered into the system, so that if you happen to go to Regina and you go to the public health office and you ask for a copy of the immunization record, they will be able to provide an up-to-date one.

 

“But if there’s other ones (immunization shots) that you’ve taken and they’re not included, then they’re missed. And so this then brings us down to, how are we now accountable fo the provision of our immunization services?”, Chokani says.

 

Chokani notes that the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority is close to concluding its own data servicing agreement, which he believes will help significantly.

 

Still, he says, there are many other First Nations out there whose information can’t be accessed.