Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You have to excuse me if I slur my words here -- I had some dental work done -- especially when I'm going to be doing a speech on health.
In August of 2002, I had the pleasure of travelling with the Minister of Health and Social Services to a community meeting in Wekweti. At that meeting, community members pointed out the need for a health centre and a nurse within the community. They had concerns with the lack of a permanent nurse, and they pointed out that they had been asking for these services for a very long time. People asked also, and wondered why, there was no consistency in health care delivery standards. For example, some northern communities which are smaller than Wekweti have a full-time nurse and a health centre.
In response to these concerns, the Minister of Health and Social Services stated that there was a need for a standard level of health service delivery across the Territories, and that he would be working towards this. That was over a year ago, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the honourable Michael Miltenberger updated the House on the Health and Social Services System Action Plan which was released in February 2002. In his update the Minister stated that 36 of the 45 action plan items have been addressed by the department. He also stated that the remaining nine action items will be looked at within the next six months.
Mr. Speaker, I looked through this action plan and I was very alarmed that no mention was made of funding a community nurse or a health centre in Wekweti. Mr. Speaker, last December, the Minister stated that we in the Dogrib region would be getting two doctors and possibly another nurse as soon as they could be recruited. This announcement was great news to my people. Having access to local doctors and nurses would mean easier access to medical care, and less waiting time and travel away from home and loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I reviewed statements that the Minister has made during the past year on health delivery and I have not heard more on this subject.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking him for an update on this matter later on in question period. Thank you.
---Applause