Impending diabetes epidemic threatens health of Manitobans: CDA president
The number of Manitobans living with diabetes is expected to increase by 48 per cent by the end of the decade, said Michael Cloutier, president of the Canadian Diabetes Association, reported the Winnipeg Free Press.
Coultier warned that not only is the health of Manitobans threated, but so is Manitoba’s ability to deal with the predicted crisis.
“The economic burden of diabetes in Manitoba is serious and threatens the sustainability of our health-care system and the provincial economy,” he said.
Cloutier explained that after factoring in those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, who fall into the pre-diabetic category, 25.2 per cent of Manitoba’s population will like be impacted with diabetes by 2020.
“The fact that one in four Manitobans will be living either with diabetes or pre-diabetes by 2020 represents a significant threat to the future prosperity of the province,” warned Cloutier.
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association’s analysis, diabetes currently costs the province $498 million annually. If action is not taken, the annual cost could increase to $639 million annually.
Cloutier praised Manitoba for having an established diabetes strategy, when compared to other provinces, but calls for the government to do much more.
Police chopper up and running
The new Winnipeg Police Service helicopter, which arrived in early December, has already responded to 50 calls and might have helped save the life of a 23-year-old man on Feb. 6, according to CTV News.
“Potentially, by having that helicopter up there and them locating this victim, we may have saved our first life with the helicopter,” Winnipeg Police Const. Shaun Chornley told CTV News.
The man in question had been stabbed but refused aid from both paramedics and police. The man ran away from officers, but the new chopper was used to track him about 700 metres, where he was helped, reported the Winnipeg Free Press.
“The [helicopter] unit directed general patrol members and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service to the victim’s location so that the victim could be treated for his injuries, saving him from further danger from the cold,” said Const. Chornley.
Conservatives leak copy of NDP campaign financing cheque.
Auditors investigating NDP election financing were paid $32,500 in “hush money,” claim Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.
On Feb. 11, the Conservatives released a copy of the 2005 cheque from Elections Manitoba to the auditors Hamilton & Asselstine. David Asselstine of Hamilton & Asselstine was investigating a campaign finance irregularity relating to the 1999 provincial election, which saw Gary Doer win.
After three years of battling with Elections Canada, the NDP repaid $76,000 in taxpayer-funded rebates.
According to the article the NDP were never charged in relation to the rebates.
With the release of the cheque, the Conservatives are demanding a full public inquiry.
However, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak, speaking on behalf of the NDP, said the allegations are “about as desperate a ploy as I’ve ever seen.”
