Locals raise awareness and funds with Walk of Hope
A new charity walk initiative came to Merritt this past weekend, raising both awareness and funds to support the fight against a type of cancer affecting 3,100 Canadian women each year.
Category: Health
Province rolls out COVID-19 fall booster doses
The Province of B.C. is rolling out the new combination bivalent vaccine through its fall booster program. The new dose will act as a booster to protect people from the Omicron subvariant of the virus.
Province announces new healthcare assistant grants
B.C. is now offering a $3-million bursary fund for healthcare assistants registered in an access to practical nursing (APN) program from Sept. 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024, at a qualifying public post-secondary institution.
Province launches ‘Health Gateway’ mobile app
Lab results, information on prescription medication, and immunization records are now just a tap away for most British Columbians, with the launch of the new Health Gateway mobile app.
Carly Johnston introduces the ‘Merritt Community Cooler’
A new initiative by a Merritt local offers community members fresh produce and other garden goodies, all by donation.
DQ Merritt raises money during ‘Miracle Treat Day’
DQ celebrated ‘Miracle Treat Day’ on Thursday, August 11.
New substance abuse supports coming to the Interior
The Province of BC, with coordination by Interior Health, is continuing its pushback against the toxic drug crisis by implementing new supports, and expanding treatment access, for those struggling with substance-abuse issues in B.C.’s interior.
LETTERS: Provincial Healthcare
“The Provincial Government who is in charge of the Provincial health care system, must correct the mismanagement and take the under funding battle to another battle field.”
New youth social service centre in Kamloops announced
Foundry Kamloops will serve as another resource for youth in Kamloops and surrounding areas, like Merritt, to address both mental health and substance issues.
Bass Coast promotes safer festival experience
Bass Coast’s harm reduction program has been steadily growing year by year, giving attendees invaluable service ranging from a providing safe spaces to education of safe sex and drug use.
B.C. introducing fourth COVID shot in the fall
The next step in B.C.’s COVID-19 immunization strategy will be another round of booster shots, in the form of a ‘fourth shot’ available to people in BC starting in the fall of 2022.
Purdue Canada pays $150 million in settlement
A major opioid manufacturer and pharmaceutical company has agreed to a landmark settlement in Canada. $150 million was paid out by Purdue Canada thanks to a B.C. led initiative to recover healthcare costs related to the ongoing opioid crisis and marketing of opioid-based pain medications.
Interior Health launches text-alert program
The toxic drug epidemic has been a pressing issue across the province of BC. In addressing this emergency, Interior Health announced the launch of a text alert service. The information sent through the service will aid in the prevention of toxic overdose incidents.
Interior Health upgrades heart monitors across the region
Thanks to Interior Health and Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, medical sites across the region will be receiving heart monitor upgrades.
Kidney Walk to take place in Monck Park
Throughout Marissa’s journey, the Ouimets’ have been able to utilize the resources provided by the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Now, the family is looking to give back by organizing Merritt’s first kidney walk. The money raised from this event will go towards the foundation’s many services, programs, and research to find a cure for kidney disease.
LETTER: Canada must invest in the fight against HIV and Aids
COVID-19 has inevitably negatively affected the fight against HIV / AIDS, TB and malaria. 22% less HIV testing and significant increase in TB and malaria deaths.
Nicola Family Therapy adds free men’s mental health service
With over $40,000 raised towards their free men’s mental health initiative from local athlete Darius Sam’s 100km ultramarathon awareness run and a donation from the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary, Nicola Family Therapy looks to fill a gap in service they have identified.
The journey to becoming a Nurse Practitioner
While Kristy Poirier may be new to the community, she is no stranger to providing healthcare services and programming.
Nurse pours ‘Heart and Sole’ to open new footcare centre
Shella Broman is taking on a new journey, opening her own footcare centre here in Merritt, continuing her passion while serving the community where she resides.
‘Help BC Nurses’ campaign wants to highlight nurse shortage
The British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU) is shedding light on the challenges faced by those working in healthcare, and hopes to increase awareness and support for the mental health of BC’s nurses with its Help BC Nurses campaign.
