department of health

Description

Friday, June 14, 2013 A debatable motion regarding Lyme Disease introduced by New Brunswick Member of the Legislative Assembly (@jackcarr_mla jack.carr@gnb.ca www.facebook.com/jackXcarr) and unanimously passed by the Government Progressive Conservative members and Opposition Liberal MLAs. This statement has been agreed upon by all MLAs after consultation with the Fredericton area Lyme Disease Advocacy Group in partnership with the Progressive Conservative, Liberal (MLA Don Arsenault) and NDP (former Minister Kelly Lamrock) Parties. While not legally binding per say as legislation would be this motion its a major step in the right direction requesting the Department of Health to collaborate with NB stakeholders to increase awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease. LYME DISEASE MOTION Moved by: The Member for New Maryland-Sunbury West Seconded by: The Member for Dalhousie -Restigouche East WHEREAS Lyme Disease is 100% preventable; and WHEREAS hundreds of Canadians live with Lyme Disease, an infectious disease caused predominantly by the bite of an infected tick; and WHEREAS Lyme Disease can be a debilitating condition, causing extreme fatigue, cardiac and nervous system disorders and arthritic symptoms, which can affect one's quality of life and ability to work; and WHEREAS awareness and diagnosis of Lyme Disease is improving; WHEREAS New Brunswickers with Lyme Disease frequently suffer for many months, or even years, before diagnosis and treatment; WHEREAS New Brunswickers would benefit by being better informed about Lyme Diseases' symptoms and treatment; BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Legislative Assembly recognize the spread of Lyme Disease as a pressing public health issue; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Legislative Assembly request the Department of Health to work collaboratively to find solutions to this public health problem, including but not limited to working with health professionals, patients, researchers and public health employees to update public health information on prevention and detection of Lyme Disease, recruitment of health professionals with the skill set needed to improve treatment of Lyme Disease, and improved professional development for health professionals in the awareness, prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Lyme Disease. JACK CARR BIO: http://www1.gnb.ca/legis/bios1/bio-e.asp?IDNo=238&version=e&legisNO=57