Health

Resources being diverted to emergency care is disrupting scheduled surgeries across B.C. (Pixabay photo)

B.C. boy needing heart surgery waits, and waits some more

Insufficient staffing, skyrocketing respiratory illness have caused mass B.C. surgery cancellations

 

FILE - This Oct. 7, 2003 file photo shows a closeup of a human brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease, on display at the Museum of Neuroanatomy at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y. An experimental Alzheimer’s drug modestly slowed the brain disease’s inevitable worsening, researchers reported Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 - and the next question is how much difference that might make in people’s lives. Japanese drugmaker Eisai and its U.S. partner Biogen had announced earlier this fall that the drug lecanemab appeared to work, a badly needed bright spot after repeated disappointments in the quest for better Alzheimer’s treatments. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Drug slows Alzheimer’s but can it make a real difference?

Lecanemab delayed patients’ worsening by about five months over the course of the 18-month study

 

Activists prepare to release a sky lantern with a message on the banks of the Hooghly River ahead of World AIDS Day in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

HIV activists hope World AIDS Day marks an end to backsliding on infections, stigma

Public Health Agency of Canada estimated 62,790 Canadians were living with HIV in 2020

 

There is a high risk of overdose or fatal overdose. (Interior Health)

Look out for white, light pink powder: Drug alert in Kelowna and Vernon

DOWN contains high levels of fentanyl and depressant drugs

There is a high risk of overdose or fatal overdose. (Interior Health)
The police dog unit searches the perimeter of the Sundance Suites, where a body was located July 19, 2017. (Morning Star file photo)

Accused in 2017 Vernon murder deemed fit for trial

Richard William Fairgrieve was previously found unfit for trial in 2020

The police dog unit searches the perimeter of the Sundance Suites, where a body was located July 19, 2017. (Morning Star file photo)
Jaime Morgan - Photography by Lia Crowe

Working it

Jaime Morgan and The Gottman Method for nurturing relationships

  • Nov 28, 2022
Jaime Morgan - Photography by Lia Crowe
Can’t sleep at night? You could be worrying about money. (Pexels photo)

Half of Canadians losing sleep over money woes: poll

Just 28% of B.C. residents are getting enough sleep

Can’t sleep at night? You could be worrying about money. (Pexels photo)
Employment, Workforce Development and Disability inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough rises during Question Period, in Ottawa on September 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Federal government to extend EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks

Workers applying for EI will be eligible for the more-generous benefits starting on Dec. 18

Employment, Workforce Development and Disability inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough rises during Question Period, in Ottawa on September 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Nurses march along Boundary Avenue outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Thursday, Nov. 24. (Photo courtesy Kath Kitts)

B.C. nurses rally to demand action with health-care system ‘in a state of crisis’

‘Traumatic’: nurses cite overcrowded ERs, drastic staffing shortfalls and extended waits for care

Nurses march along Boundary Avenue outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Thursday, Nov. 24. (Photo courtesy Kath Kitts)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, November 7, 2022. Dix says the government has plans to cancel surgeries at British Columbia hospitals to make room for patients with respiratory illnesses, but it has not yet reached that point.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. has plan to cancel surgeries to make room for flu cases in overcrowded hospitals

Minister says measures to provide space for emergency respiratory cases will be taken if necessary

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, November 7, 2022. Dix says the government has plans to cancel surgeries at British Columbia hospitals to make room for patients with respiratory illnesses, but it has not yet reached that point.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lumby’s Cole Derry took the next big step in his kidney journey, receiving a transplant on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (Cole’s Kidney Journey/Facebook)

B.C. man has successful kidney transplant surgery

Both Cole Derry and his living donor, Pam, are doing well post-surgery

Lumby’s Cole Derry took the next big step in his kidney journey, receiving a transplant on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (Cole’s Kidney Journey/Facebook)
A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is seen during a vaccination clinic at the Norristown Public Health Center in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. A Canadian study suggests cases of myocarditis are rare but higher than expected among young men who got a second dose of Moderna, though there's little to no difference between that COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech following a third shot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke

B.C. study finds low but increased risk of myocarditis after 2nd Moderna COVID shot

BC Centre for Disease Control finds men between the ages of 18 and 29 are most at risk

A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is seen during a vaccination clinic at the Norristown Public Health Center in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. A Canadian study suggests cases of myocarditis are rare but higher than expected among young men who got a second dose of Moderna, though there's little to no difference between that COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech following a third shot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke
Kate Forte kisses her daughter, Lexie Stroiney, 6, as research nurse Michelle Harris, left, demonstrates a blood draw on her stuffed animal “Sprinkles” at Children’s National Hospital, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. Lexie had COVID-19 and is part of a NIH-funded multi-year study at Children’s National Hospital to look at impacts of COVID-19 on children’s physical health and quality of life. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

BC Children’s Hospital triages patients from E/R due to respiratory illness spike

Department is mostly seeing viral illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, or RSV

Kate Forte kisses her daughter, Lexie Stroiney, 6, as research nurse Michelle Harris, left, demonstrates a blood draw on her stuffed animal “Sprinkles” at Children’s National Hospital, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. Lexie had COVID-19 and is part of a NIH-funded multi-year study at Children’s National Hospital to look at impacts of COVID-19 on children’s physical health and quality of life. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Eric James requires dialysis at Royal Jubilee Hospital three days a week and feels lucky the city has a nocturnal program where he can sleep through the treatment. (Courtesy Eric James)

Victoria man pleads for a kidney – for himself and others

‘It feels weird asking someone for money, let alone a piece of themselves’

Eric James requires dialysis at Royal Jubilee Hospital three days a week and feels lucky the city has a nocturnal program where he can sleep through the treatment. (Courtesy Eric James)
Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau and leader of the BC Greens wants to see the mask mandate reinstated in indoor public spaces. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Green Party leader wants mask mandate in public places reinstated

Call comes as B.C.’s pediatric beds fill up

Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau and leader of the BC Greens wants to see the mask mandate reinstated in indoor public spaces. (Black Press Media file photo)
Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)

‘The reality is hotter fires’: Building construction part of training for Shuswap firefighters

‘It really is a dangerous environment now. Stuff can be replaced but firefighters cannot.’

Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)
Premier John Horgan makes his first public appearance since completing cancer treatment for Lunar New Year at the B.C. legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (John Horgan/Twitter)

Outgoing B.C. premier makes pitch to provinces and PM to end health gridlock

John Horgan not looking for a job, but told peers he’s happy to help any way he can

Premier John Horgan makes his first public appearance since completing cancer treatment for Lunar New Year at the B.C. legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (John Horgan/Twitter)
Dr. Shelina Babul says more education is needed for both coaches and players in high-contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer. Photo by Rachel Ciampi/Auburn Reporter

‘We have a long way to go’: 90% of British Columbians can’t recognize a concussion

Dr. Shelina Babul with BC Children’s Hospital says quick action integral to recovery

Dr. Shelina Babul says more education is needed for both coaches and players in high-contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer. Photo by Rachel Ciampi/Auburn Reporter
Living on B.C.’s below-poverty levels of disability assistance and already in debt means every treatment brings a Vancouver woman closer to running out of money and choosing the option to die. (Pixabay photo)

‘Jump or burn?’: B.C. woman is chronically ill, but dying of poverty

System will fund Medical Assistance in Dying but not treatments that help chronic fatigue syndrome

Living on B.C.’s below-poverty levels of disability assistance and already in debt means every treatment brings a Vancouver woman closer to running out of money and choosing the option to die. (Pixabay photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria on March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. will only consider mask mandate if new major virus emerges: public health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry says masks were vital during COVID peak, but not as much so now

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria on March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito