September 4, 2005
For Immediate Release

Statement

National Emergency Stockpile System Supplies to be Sent to Assist with Hurricane Katrina Relief

OTTAWA - The Public Health Agency of Canada was contacted by the United States' Department of Health and Human Services officials to request National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) supplies to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

"The Government of Canada and its departments and agencies are working together with Canadians to respond to our neighbours in a time of need," said Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. "Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada will continue to play a coordinating role to ensure that all resources are brought to bear in an effective manner."

"Yesterday, I spoke to U.S. Health and Human Service Secretary Michael Leavitt. He expressed appreciation for the prompt offer of assistance from our government and for the generosity of Canadians," Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. "I am gratified that we can be of practical assistance to our American friends during this difficult time. Our officials are working round the clock to ensure supplies are both forwarded quickly and effectively, and are integrated into existing aid efforts."

HHS officials have requested blankets, gloves, gowns, batteries, needles, surgical dressings, bandages, tongue depressors, and bath towels and cloths.

The Agency continues to work with U.S. counterparts to determine where these supplies are to be sent, and the best method of transportation.

Contingency plans are in place to ensure the capacity to respond to a domestic emergency is maintained.

The Agency maintains a $300 million NESS to provide emergency supplies quickly when requested. A 24-hour response capability is maintained.

The system consists of a central depot in Ottawa, and eight other warehouses located across Canada. The NESS contains everything that you would expect to find in a hospital, including:

• pharmaceutical supplies such as various antibiotics and anti-inflammatories;
• folding hospital beds;
• folding military cots;
• stretchers, which can be used in reception centres for sleeping;
• synthetic and wool blankets;
• generators;
• mini clinics (medical) for triage and minor surgical procedures;
• bulk medical supplies, such as various types of dressings, gloves, gowns, masks, etc.;
• 200 bed emergency hospitals;
• mobile quarantine units; and
• water decontamination tablets.

Supplies can be sent out by various transport methods - e.g., truck, plane - on short notice (within 24 hours) for set-up in existing buildings such as schools and community centres.

Additional capacities include supplies to set up first aid and triage stations. Pre-positioned supply centres have a mix of supplies depending on their location and anticipated emergencies that might occur. For example, there are emergency supplies in western Canada to address crises related to forest fires and earthquakes.

While some of the field hospitals are stored across the country, many drugs are held for the Agency by the pharmaceutical manufacturers in order to ensure that they are rotated, thus ensuring we have up-to-date drugs when required.

The National Emergency Stockpile System has been used to support a number of emergencies, both in Canada and internationally. Within Canada, NESS supplies were used during the power outage in eastern Canada, in Nova Scotia after Hurricane Juan, and in a hospital in Halifax to help people stranded after a blizzard. Internationally, a significant quantity of pharmaceuticals, supplies and equipment were provided as part of the Government of Canada's response to the south east Asia tsunami crisis.

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Media Enquiries:

Public Health Agency
(613) 266-3452

Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991