Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Bay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the disease spreading, from what I understand, the local community has been advised by local radio about being cautious and not having large gatherings and keeping personal hygiene habits of cleanliness. As far as controlling the spread, we can't control the flow of people but we can monitor to make sure the situation is under control. I know that the medical health officer has been in direct contact with health board officials who are responsible for delivering health services in our region. The health board has sent in an additional nurse practitioner to assist the local Pelly Bay staff in dealing with the increased workload and provide general support.

So we are carefully monitoring the situation, Mr. Speaker. We will be willing to provide any additional support, if it is required.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past years, Mr. Speaker, there have been cases across the Territories where sometimes the patients who are brought to the nursing stations aren't being brought to a major medical centre until the disease is advanced. Will the Minister tell this House, as a precautionary measure, if there is a way to diagnose the disease before it becomes too late and so the patients are sent to Yellowknife as soon as possible? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess it would go back to a healthy prevention promotion campaign on personal hygiene habits. There is a difficulty in our communities because of overcrowding, particularly in the wintertime when people are visiting. Incubation period takes a while and once it hits, it spreads very quickly, similar to the common cold. It would be a matter of putting an emphasis on identifying the disease when it hits early and trying to rectify it by putting in preventative measures. Thank you.

Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.