President's Letter
Dear Members,
We are hearing more every day about the implications of the fourth wave of the pandemic and I wanted to update you.
Public health measures
I am releasing the following statement, that I shared earlier today with the Minister:
The Alberta Medical Association calls on the Government of Alberta to re-institute more strict public health measures. Immediate action is needed, given the sharp rise in case numbers and patients in hospital and ICU. The measures instituted on September 3 are unlikely to have the kind of impact that is needed and we cannot afford to wait. Increasing vaccination rates is critical, but won’t prevent the course of this current wave fast enough. All options need to be on the table, including vaccine passports.
Other issues in the fourth wave
As I have said to media in the last few days, the intimidation and harassment of health care workers by protestors at our hospitals is wrong. Yes, everyone has a right to protest, but holding these events where patients are suffering, where families are grieving and where health care workers are giving everything they have to help them get through this, is deplorable. If protests must be held, hold them someplace where less is at stake
Additionally, we must deal with other concerns as we find our way through the pandemic. The issue of stabilizing physician practices is raising its head as care becomes further disrupted. In my view there has not been an adequate response to this problem in previous waves. We need to do a better job of supporting health providers.
You can reach me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Paul E. Boucher, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association