April 14, 2005 for immediate release

The following statement has been prepared by UNBC PresidentCharles Jago in response to an announcement made by the Government of BritishColumbia on April 14, 2005. Click here for the Government news release.

April 14, 2005 for immediate release

The following statement has been prepared by UNBC PresidentCharles Jago in response to an announcement made by the Government of BritishColumbia on April 14, 2005. Click here for the Government news release.

Improved cancer prevention, detection, and treatment areimportant issues to northerners.  Northernhealth care outcomes fall below the standards achieved in other parts of theprovince.  This is as true for cancer as itis for other diseases.  It is not anacceptable situation.

Although I did not seek the task of conducting a publicconsultation process on access to cancer care in the north, I understand thetrust that has been directed to me personally to engage in this task.  I am pleased to be sharing the responsibilitywith Jeff Burghardt, a man I have known over many years and whom I greatlyrespect.  It will be important to us bothto engage the community and to understand the desires of northerners as theyface the prospect of growing cancer rates over the coming years. 

I also appreciate the trust that has been shown in UNBC tocoordinate and conduct research to inform and to guide the implementation ofclinical services in response to the northern cancer strategy outlined in thejoint NHA, BCAA report entitled NorthernCancer Control Strategy.  It will be importantthat through the research to be conducted at UNBC in cooperation withpractitioners in the NHA and the BCCA we learn about the very best practices inrural cancer treatment that are developing world-wide, come to understandbetter patient preferences in our region, and find the best solutions geared tonorthern geographic and cultural realities.

I was struck by a passage in the report that reads asfollows:

Population growth, development of other cancer services inthe North, adequate planning for oncology human resource specialists,improvements in East-West transportation links within the Region, anddevelopments in clinical technology may combine to improve the feasibility of anorthern [radiotherapy] service in the future. In particular, the advancements in digital linkages and theimplementation of clinical information systems may enable new models of serviceto be feasible.

In undertaking this assigned task, I will seek to ensurethat through the research conducted at UNBC and through the consultationprocess with northerners we look to the future and examine all of thepossibilities created by new modes of practice to ensure that northerners havethe best and most comprehensive cancer care possible.

Dr. Charles Jago

President & Vice-Chancellor

Contact:

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations,UNBC – 250.960.5622