Manitoba health-care workers urged to share flu expertise
Last Updated: Friday, October 2, 2009 | 12:16 PM ET
CBC News
The Manitoba government is calling on health-care workers to share their expertise as it prepares for the fall flu season.
The government issued a "call to action" on Friday, seeking health-care workers to help out at vaccination clinics, in intensive-care units or in northern and remote communities, Health Minister Theresa Oswald said Friday.
"Manitoba's health-care workers have already done a tremendous job responding to H1N1 and we can count on their knowledge, compassion and care during the upcoming flu season," said Oswald.
"Many other Manitobans have skills that will help strengthen our flu preparation and response, so I encourage them to respond to our call to action."
The government is looking for front-line health-care providers and support staff including:
- Doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners (registered or retired) to administer vaccinations or to work in immunization clinics.
- People who have had experience working in immunization clinics, either to greet or register visitors.
- Nurses and other health-care providers with experience in intensive-care units.
- Doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners willing to provide medical support in remote or northern communities.
Advertisements will be running across the province to encourage health-care providers to work at upcoming H1N1 flu vaccination clinics. Health-care workers will be matched with regional health authorities based on their skills and local need.
To get more information or to register, health-care workers should call 1-866-799-0174.
Five-point, $47M flu fighting plan
Manitoba recently announced a five-point, $47-million plan outlining the provincial response, which includes mass vaccination clinics to tackle swine flu.
Dr. Joel Kettner, Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, said the money will also go towards purchasing vaccine, antiviral drugs, masks, gloves and gowns, as well as hiring more staff to care for the sick.
An H1N1 information campaign is underway and a guide to help Manitobans identify flu symptoms and decide when to seek care has been delivered to all households.
More information on the provincial flu planning can be found on the Manitoba government website.
