The registry will provide timely and accurate information on such things as incidences of disease and injury, Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald said Wednesday at a signing ceremony with Cape Breton chiefs.
"An agreement like this is unprecedented in Canada, and speaks to the strong commitment of everyone here today to improving the health of First Nations individuals in Cape Breton and across the province," MacDonald said at the legislature in Halifax.
The rates of some diseases, such as diabetes, are much higher than in the non-native population. Mental health and addiction problems also plague many native communities.
"Knowledge is power," said Chief Leroy Denny of the Eskasoni Reserve at the ceremony.
"We will use this new health information to measure the impacts of the health programs and services, and develop community health plans that are based on evidence . . . and most importantly, to improve the health of our people."
The Unama’ki Client Registry, which uses the Mi’kmaq word for Cape Breton, will generate a health-card number for any First Nations member who has an MSI card. The system also will be linked with the federal Indian and Northern Affairs’ registry system.
The health-card numbers will be used to track information from hospital and doctor visits on pregnancies, births, cancers and other health conditions.
To address privacy concerns, the same safeguards that protect the electronic health records of other Nova Scotians will be put in place, MacDonald said.
The data-sharing agreement with the province ensures that the First Nations of Eskasoni, Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook and Waycobah will be custodians of the health information, according to an information pamphlet released Wednesday.
"Whenever you’re dealing with people’s health information, there are always concerns about privacy," MacDonald said after the signing ceremony.
She said it’s taken "a lot of work in terms of consulting with the communities, developing the framework and then . . . getting the systems to speak to each other. . . . It’s now in place."
The registry has been in the works since 2008.
Health Canada will provide $430,000 over three years, while the Public Health Agency of Canada will allot $200,000 over two years. The province has put about $10,000 into getting the registry up and running.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): John McPhee
Quelle/Source: The Chronicle Herald, 16.06.2011
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