Friday, May 23, 2008

Health is Everyone's Foundation

Premier Danny Williams has made a decent offer to Pathologists that puts them on salary par with those in other parts of Canada. Thankfully, oil money allows for more compensation for these critical people and will be an incentive for current Drs. to stay, and to entice others here.

There is still much healing left to take place in hospital ERs, and with nursing staff shortages. While the salary incentive is being dealt with we are reminded to look at our own society as a whole.

We all are responsible for how we live, and to a great extent, many health ailments. Disease beyond our control happens, old age, and deterioration happens. What can also happen is less strain being put on health care because of individual choices on lifestyle. The better we take care of ourselves, the greater the chance of good health, less hospital visits, and less stress on health workers. It's common sense but personal habits are a factor in the current health crisis. Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest nurse per capita ratio in Canada, yet they are extremely stressed, overworked, and still understaffed. It's the demand the general public makes of health care. However, this situation like many, does not have to remain the same. The better we eat, the more active, and the more educated about food and environmental toxins we become, the greater the chances of better health inside and outside of hospitals for all concerned.

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