(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

SMA Presidents Tour

Saskatchewan Medical Association does virtual Presidents Tour in Melfort

Sep 30, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) held a virtual Presidents Tour in Melfort on Monday, Sept. 28.

The President, Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz was joined by local physicians to hear their concerns and issues regarding health care in the region. Vice president Dr. Eben Strydom is a family physician in Melfort and said one of the main topics of conversation was the response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Specifically the availability, and the cost now of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),” he said. “Which includes masks, visors, and gowns.”

Strydom said level one masks aren’t being used as much in the health care sector as it was before, and they’ve been using the higher level PPE, which also costs more. He added some clinics and health care spots in the area aren’t getting enough or any PPE provided by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

While there has been no resolution to that issue yet, conversations continue with the SMA, the SHA, and the Ministry of Health.

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“We will continue to advocate further for the physicians,” Strydom told northeastNOW. “To make sure that everybody has adequate access to this vital piece of protection, for the work that we do.”

There were a number of other topics on the table at the virtual tour, including health care access in rural areas. Strydom said strides have been made to make sure that everyone in the area has a family care provider and acute care is also covered, but the issues remain. Strydom used an example that if there are six physicians at a clinic, and two leave for a reason, then four physicians are tasked with overtime work, acute care, and family care, something he said back tracks the progress that has already been made.

Meanwhile, adjustments had to be made during the current pandemic, and Strydom says physicians have done well, even with lots of pressure. He said cleaning needed to be increased, and they’ve also had to use virtual meets more, something he called a great tool.

“As far as I could see, everybody has stepped up to the plate and did more than could be asked to help the system under these new and unknown circumstances,” Strydom said.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6