Volunteers needed to protect health care system

“As we go around the province we are seeing first hand the difficulties people face in accessing health care services,” said Health Network Coordinator, Kyle Buott.

Bad weather cancelled the original scheduled meeting in December.

It was to be held at the Second Story Women’s Centre in Lunenburg.

Buott is hoping the meetings will be set up in Lunenburg/Bridgewater, Mahone Bay and Liverpool within the next month.

Each health committee will focus on health issues in their communities, he said.

There are currently two health committees, in New Glasgow and on the North Shore.

Buott’s main priority is setting up more groups.

He named the multiple times Shelburne’s hospital has closed as an example of major threats to access to health care.

“There is a perfect storm working in this country to privatize our health care system,” he added. “Local communities need to come together to defend access to local services and stop privatization.”

Buott said anyone interested in joining a local health committee should call 902-406-9422 or email kyle@nshealthcoalition.ca.

The following is a description of the organization that appears in network literature and press releases. “Formed in 1996, the Nova Scotia Citizens' Health Care Network's goal is to stop the privatization of the public health care system, ensure high levels of care, and create a forum for people and communities to discuss issues in health care.

“The Network is a coalition of community groups, organized labour, faith groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and advancing public health care to include services like Pharmacare, dental care and long-term and home care. The Network is political but non-partisan and receives no government funding.”