Chairman Roy Romanow
March 4, 2002
Presented by John Bryde
Members of the Commission,
It is a privilege to attend and express ideas and recommendations on the number one issue and concern of Canadians, health
care. The health care issue is critical, not just in Saskatchewan but throughout Canada, as governments are faced with unlimited
demand for services and limited resources.
Economics are forcing governments to review their priorities to allow more effective use of the budget. Health is not the responsibility of the doctor, the government, or society, it is a personal responsibility, and individuals must be prepared to accept and meet this obligation.
A prepaid medical plan is not the answer, as it is abused at patient and doctor levels and is bankrupting the country. Our mutual objective is to improve the health and well being of the individual. Achieving this goal requires a total review and reform of our present health care system. We must all work together to transform a multibillion dollar health care establishment to health promotion rather than disease management.
Prescription for Change
a) Education, not medication is the key to prevention of disease. Funding must be made available for public education programs promoting nutritional counselling, regular exercise, the rewards of adopting a healthy lifestyle, the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, stress management, and an awareness of environmental hazards. An informed public will make responsible and intelligent decisions with respect to health, resulting in an improved quality of life and enabling them to remain functional and productive members of the community. As time advances, the role of practitioner will change to that of educator.
b) We must promote and utilize more natural therapies that complement the bodyıs own healing power, as opposed to drug therapy which compounds the problem. Excessive medication, at all age levels, is possibly the greatest health hazard in North America today and must be addressed and controlled.
c) We must employ professionals other than doctors in the health care field. The concept that the doctor is the only professional capable of delivering health care is absurd. Certainly, we need doctors, but they should be part of the total health care field. not the total. Nurses, licensed practical nurses, chiropractors, nutritional counsellors, naturopaths, acupuncturist, herbalists, masseurs, reflexologists, and midwives are all qualified to deliver effective health care at greatly reduced cost. North America is the only continent in the world where orthodox medicine has an almost virtual monopoly on health care. In other nations, alternate health care practitioners are allowed to practice freely and the people are permitted Freedom of Choice, a basic fundamental right.
d) We must restrict the use of many toxic chemicals in our food, water, and our soil that adversely affect the health of the nation. We must promote and encourage organic farming and gardening. The right to pure food is the right of all Canadians.
e) The media, in fulfilling their mandate to inform the public, could be more effective by greater coverage of health related issues.
f) Environmental pollution and related issues must be given top priority, as we are showing little concern for coming generations. A healthy environment and healthy people are synonymous. Major corporations and industry continue to violate existing environment laws and should be held accountable.
g) The focus of medical research must be redirected. For decades, the focus appears to have been not to determine the cause of illness, nor to prevent same, but to introduce more sophisticated, not necessary, effective drugs to treat same.
These are a few of the basic areas of concern that are requiring consideration and attention. Good health is not merely a matter of adding years to our lives, but more importantly, adding life to our years. Hopefully, through education and co-operation, we can improve the health and well-being of all residents of this great country. Be aware. The future is now. May discretion and compassion prevail. Much success to the Commission in all future endeavours. Thank you.