News Release
2003-04
January 22, 2003
For Immediate Release
Funding announced for Health Care technology project in Northwest Territories
YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES - Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary
of State, Children and Youth, on behalf of the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health,
announced today that Health Canada is contributing up to $ 436,177 to the WestNet Tele-Opthalmology
Project managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The WestNet Tele-Opthalmology project was created to help screen North West Territories
people with diabetes for early signs of the retinal deterioration that can lead to blindness.
Trained eye technicians from the Eye Centre of the Stanton Territorial Health Authority
in Yellowknife are using portable stereoscopic digital imaging equipment to create retinal
images that will be forwarded to specialists at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton
for analysis and treatment recommendations.
"This project ensures that more Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents of remote northern
communities are tested regularly for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that, if left untreated,
leads to blindness" said Secretary of State Blondin-Andrew. "This reflects the Government
of Canada's commitment to work collaboratively with provinces and territories to make new
technologies a regular way of delivering health services to all Canadians no matter where
they live," she further stated.
Funding for this project comes from the Canada Health Infostructure Partnerships Program
(CHIPP). It is a cost-shared incentive program aimed at supporting collaboration, innovation
and renewal in health care delivery across Canada through the use of modern information
technologies.
Investing primarily in telehealth and electronic health records model projects, CHIPP
helps improve accessibility and quality of care for all Canadians, while enhancing the
efficiency and long-term vitality of Canada's health system.
The federal government's investment in health care information and communications technologies
was highlighted in the 1999 Budget when $366 million was allocated over a four-year period
to the development of the Canada Health Infostructure. The signature of the Health Agreement
by all First Ministers, in September 2000, laid the foundation for ongoing federal, provincial
and territorial collaboration in developing and implementing the Canadian Health Infostructure,
with the Government of Canada investing an additional $500 million in targeted funding
for health information technology.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore
built into the existing fiscal framework.
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Media Inquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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