Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is related to my Member's statement on medical services available in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. My questions are directed to the honourable Mr. Ng, Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my statement today, people are having to do with reduced services in the community and according to the information I have been given, use of staff that might not be qualified to actually diagnose whether a person is in need of medical attention or not.
Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to clarify that I am not suggesting that the person, the receptionist in particular, that I am referring to here is not qualified to do her job as a receptionist, and I am sure she is just trying to help out in a situation that is coming out of hand, so to speak. I commend her, in a way, in her efforts to help out. However, I am concerned, as my constituents are as to the department now having to use receptionists to evaluate what a person's medical needs are. That is one of my particular concerns. Yesterday the Minister did not indicate, Mr. Speaker, that he was, in fact, prepared to provide this House with a report on what is actually available in Tuktoyaktuk, as far as medical services are concerned.
Mr. Speaker, last night I received a report which serves to compound the situation. They have had a very recent medevac with a suggestion of meningitis. Now this serves to make people more concerned as to whether or not medical services would be available to handle an epidemic or what could result from the meningitis situation. I do not know if the Minister is aware of this or not, but this is the information I received last night.
My question to the Minister is, could he look into whether if in fact, there is a meningitis situation in Tuktoyaktuk? Could he report to the House as to what medical services are available to the community in the nursing station? Thank you.