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April 23, 2004
The Ontario Public Health Association supports government commitment of a provincial public health plan
The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) applauds the commitment made this week by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to release a comprehensive action plan for public health within in the next two months. The announcement follows the release of the Final Report of the Expert Panel on SARS and Infectious Disease Control and the SARS Commission Interim Report.
The government's action plan will define increased independence and strength to the role of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the creation of a provincial health protection and promotion agency, greater public health leadership and accountability, health emergency preparedness, and expanded health human resources.
The OPHA agrees with many of the recommendations made in the reports released this week. Additional issues that require immediate attention include clearly delineated roles and responsibilities between federal, provincial and local governments, and greater focus on disease prevention and health promotion. These areas were also highlighted in both reports.
"OPHA wants to emphasize that the Public Health System in Ontario must not only be prepared for emergency response but also be able to maintain other important disease prevention and health promotion programming," says Connie Uetrecht, OPHA Past President.
The OPHA is a voluntary, charitable association that provides leadership on issues affecting the public's health and represents individuals who are active in public and community health throughout Ontario.
For further information, contact:
Connie Uetrecht, OPHA Past President: (416) 989-3742
Peter Wiebe, OPHA President: (905) 546-2424 ext. 3787
Sophie Bart, OPHA Communications Coordinator: (416) 839-0130
OPHA website: www.opha.on.ca
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