Returning from meetings of federal and provincial health minsters held in Toronto yesterday, Health and Social Services Minster Mildred Dover says she is hopeful that a fair and equitable national compassionate assistance program will soon be announced for Canadians who contracted hepatitis C through the blood system between 1986 and 1990.
She said her meetings included discussions on the continued safety of the Canadian blood system, what type of assistance program should be offered to persons with hepatitis C, and how the federal and provincial governments should contribute to it.
"The blood issue is an extremely complex one and has enormous implications for the people who unfortunately have been affected, and for the health system. While we are looking for solutions as quickly as possible, our decisions must be based on fair principles rather than ones which result simply from the capped cash contribution currently being proposed by the federal government," she said.
She advised that at the provincial ministers meeting all provinces unanimously agreed that there should be a national compassionate assistance program rather than proceeding through the court process.
"But the program must be based on fair principles and shared responsibility," she said, "And to date the provinces have shouldered the lion's share of the responsibility for hepatitis C. The ministers believe that Canadians expect fairness which includes recognizing the more than $1 billion that taxpayers in all provinces and territories are paying, and will pay in future to help provide appropriate services for people adversely affected by the blood system. It is time now for the federal government, as the regulator of Canada's blood system, to shoulder its fair share of the assistance program."
Minister Dover said it is her sincere hope that a final agreement will be reached when the provincial health ministers meet with the federal minister following the scheduled meeting of provincial ministers in Victoria March 4, 1998.
She added that several steps are being taken by Department of Health and Social Services staff to assist Islanders who may be at risk of having hepatitis C, beginning with a province-wide notification program.
Within the next few weeks the Department will be sending letters to up to 3,000 residents of PEI who are known to have received a blood transfusion between 1984 and 1990 to notify them that they are at risk of having hepatitis C and suggest that they discuss testing with their doctor.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Lamont Sweet advised that more than 17,000 blood transfusions were given to Islanders during the period from 1984 to June 1, 1990. He said that although much care has been taken to compile the list of people who received blood during that period, it would be impossible to ensure that the list is completely accurate and inclusive.
"For example, some residents may have received blood transfusions during that time at out-of-province hospitals which are unable to provide us with complete lists. We cannot therefore guarantee that everyone who received blood during that time will get a letter," said Dr. Sweet.
PEI is the fourth province to implement a provincial lookback campaign such as this. Other provinces such as British Columbia have found that approximately four per-cent of residents notified had contracted hepatitis C.
Minister Dover said that while it is unfortunate that some people may find out through the notification program that they have hepatitis C, they have the right to know about their illness, to seek medical advice, and to obtain treatment if required.