Island hospitals part of large Computer Radiography initiative

by Neil Zacharjewicz

MANITOULIN - The Manitoulin Health Centre has taken another step toward bridging the health care gap due to its participation in a Computer Radiography initiative undertaken by members of the Network 11, one of the 18 regional hospital networks in the province.

The two Island hospitals will benefit from FedNor funding toward the purchase and installation of Computer Radiography equipment. FedNor has contributed $500,000 to the over $1 million project undertaken by the Network 11 hospitals, which include the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) hospitals, the Sudbury Regional Hospital, the Northeastern Regional Cancer Centre, Elliot Lake's St. Joseph's General Hospitals, the Espanola General Hospital, the Blind River and District Health Centre, and the West Parry Sound Health Centre.

Computer Radiography technology allows these facilities to convert existing radiology films, such as X-rays, to a digital format and store them on the centralized Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). Network 11 hospitals may then use web browsers to transmit images and diagnostic reports to each other through the Smart Systems for Health networking services.

Island physician Dr. Ken Barss said the new system will be a boon for the Island hospitals.

"It will be very helpful for both patients and physicians," he explained. "It directly impacts on patient care."

Dr. Barss explained that in the old days, physicians would order an X-ray, send it off the next day to a radiologist, and they might receive a report back by the end of the week. With the Computer Radiography system, an X-ray can be sent to a radiologist almost immediately over the network, and a response could be sent back almost immediately. The turn-around for patients and doctors has gone from approximately five days to a matter of minutes, depending on the priority of the situation. This will have an impact on patient waiting times.

The quality of the digital image is also better, Dr. Barss noted, allowing for physicians to magnify portions of a digital image 10 to 15 times in order to help improve diagnostic accuracy. The way it was before the system was introduced, he noted, physicians had to use magnifying glasses to enhance an image.

There are other advantages as well, he noted, such as the fact that digital storage of images takes a lot less space than the storage of actual films. Furthermore, now when a patient is sent to see a specialist, they do not have to worry about losing their X-ray because it will be stored digitally in the system. Finally, the system will also reduce the amount of chemicals the hospital will have to dispose for the purpose of film development.

"It's much more environmentally friendly," Dr. Barss suggested. "It is another step up the technological ladder."

"We look forward to working with our partners to implement this technology," explained James Van Camp, chief executive officer of the MHC. "This technology will help us improve patient care, bridge gaps in distance and helps us attract new medical professionals to the area."

"The Government of Canada is committed to investing in technology initiatives that contribute to the ability of individuals and organizations to interact, transact, learn and to reach their economic and social potential," stated Brent St. Denis, Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin. "This initiative is an example of using commercially developed technology to realize significant benefits at a very low cost to the health care system while still ensuring the necessary patient data security."

Ecuadorian healer heads home

by Michael Erskine

MANITOWANING---With acclamations of gratitude from both hosts and guests, Juan Uyunkar, the Shuar healer who came from his native Ecuador three years ago to share the indigenous healing practices of his people with the people of the North is heading home.

Mr. Uyankar's stay in this country was extended far beyond what he originally intended when a tragedy struck during a healing ceremony in South Bay two years ago, a tragedy that resulted in the unexpected death of respected Wikwemikong Elder Jean (Jane) Maiangowai.

That tragedy led to Mr. Uyankar and his son, Edgar pleading guilty to one federal charge, Trafficking in a Controlled Substance as defined under Schedule 3 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and one provincial charge of Administering a Noxious Substance. Remaining charges of Criminal Negligence Causing Death, Importing into Canada a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance, were dropped in a negotiated plea that allowed Edgar Uyankar to return home.

The noxious substance in question was referred to as a mixture of harmaline (the psycho-active ingredient contained in the South American vines used) and tobacco. The substance was intended to purge the participants bodies of impurities and to induce visions to be spiritually interpreted. Called Ayahuasca, the substance has been a main ingredient in Shuar healing ceremonies for millennia and is regarded by the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon as a sacred medicine.

The presence of harmaline in the mixture supplied to Mrs. Maiangowai was hotly contested by the medicine man's defence team, which included local lawyer Lloyd Greenspoon, of Ice Lake.

Mr. Uyankar was free to return home on March 24, 2004, but his departure was delayed as he completed a number of outstanding commitments in this country.

Mr. Uyankar will return, he assured his supporters gathered at the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course last Thursday for a farewell feast.

"Not 'Adios amigo,'" he said, referring to a large banner that graced the hall. "Hasta la vista (Till we meet again)."

Mr. Uyankar intends to return to this country sometime this summer.

He was philosophical about his stay in Canada, noting that all things in life happen for a reason, and that perhaps he was meant to stay longer, to share his knowledge and to learn more about this country, its flora, fauna and people before he returned to his native jungle.

"In three years I study," he said. "In three years I see many people."

His time here was both sweet and bitter, for in addition to receiving the love and support of many people across the country, he said, he has also had to bid farewell to a number of Elders and friends he has come to know and love who have passed away while he was here.

"Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," he said throughout his address to his supporters. "The people of South America, the people of North America, Aboriginal culture, different colour, no, everybody community, everybody family. People say where is your Nation, my Nation is everybody. I come from Nation Shuar."

The sacred pipe, the sacred tobacco, the sacred buffalo and the sacred eagle, all have come into union, he said.

He invited everyone to come to visit his home in Ecuador, where he said, they would find little differences in food, language and culture, but a great similarity in the important things, family, friendship and community.

He called for support of all medicine, both traditional and contemporary.

Medicine is for everybody, he said. Not for the Shuar, not for the Ojibwe, but for everybody.

Before Mr. Uyankar spoke, a steady stream of supporters came to the fore to give testimonials as to the character of the traditional healer and his devotion to his craft.

Ida Embry spoke of how she first met Mr. Uyankar at a spiritual centre in Pennsylvania.

"I told him of the health problems in our community," she said. "I asked him if he would come to share his healing work."

Upon her return to the Island, Mrs. Embry contacted the Wikwemikong Health Centre and  a series of events eventually led to the Chief and Council inviting Mr. Uyankar and his son Edgar, also a Shuar healer to come to the community.

"We all know what occurred, it was very unfortunate," she said, but out of the events that came from that tragedy, an organization was formed to help protect and preserve the practice of indigenous medicine throughout the globe.

Jim Murray, of Tehkummah, told of how he was asked to take Mr. Uyankar to Misery Bay, as part of the Shuar healer's community service hours. Dressed in bush gear, wielding a machete, Mr. Uyankar headed resolutely into the bush.

"I realized after a few moments that I did not have my compass with me," said Mr. Murray. "He was walking through the bush like it was downtown Young Street."

An unerring sense of direction and completeness of place kept the healer confident of his path.

Mr. Uyankar's path will now take him home to Ecuador, as he flies from the Toronto airport on Friday to meet his wives, children and the grandchildren that he has not seen in three years.

Island municipal leaders frustrated by rise in policing costs

by Neil Zacharjewicz

MANITOULIN - The policing costs are in for Manitoulin, and Island municipal leaders are not thrilled with what they are seeing.

According to information provided by the Ontario government, the various Manitoulin municipalities can expect to see an estimated increase from anywhere between nine and 18.7 percent. As well, the government has indicated that additional billings are also under way for all municipalities for 2003.

"If we are going to run a provincial organization, whether it is policing or ambulance, then let's pay for it out of the larger pocket," stated Assiginack Reeve Les Fields. She added that, despite the good policing service Manitoulin receives, "small municipalities like ours cannot continue to support these downloaded costs."

Residents in Assiginack Township can expect to see a 13 percent increase in the cost of policing services, rising from $205,383 in 2003 to an estimated $232,185 in 2004, a difference of approximately $27,000. This works out to approximately $310.41 per household.

Central Manitoulin Reeve Richard Stephens admitted he was not happy about the increase.

"If that is what the cost is, I have no idea what the recourse is to question it or do something about it," he said. "It's a big chunk of money."

Unfortunately, he noted, much like the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and education, municipalities have little or no real say as to how the costs are arrived at.

Central Manitoulin will see a 12.5 increase in its policing costs, rising from $234,647 in 2003 to an estimated $264,079 in 2004. That totals a difference of approximately $30,000, and the cost to each household amounts to $180.63.

At the April 7th meeting of council for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI), Mayor Joe Chapman expressed his displeasure at the increase.

"We certainly haven't seen a 17 percent increase in crime in our community," Mayor Chapman said, adding he would not say his community had seen a 17 percent increase in service, either. However, the town is faced with a 16.6 percent increase in its policing costs.

In NEMI, policing costs are scheduled to rise from $503,459 in 2003 to an estimated $587,045 in 2004. The estimated cost per household works out to approximately $292.35.

NEMI council has requested the issue of policing costs be placed on the agenda for the Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) and the Community Police Advisory Committee (CPAC), and has written a letter to the Ontario government requesting the reasons for the increase.

The largest increase in policing costs goes to Tehkummah Township, who will see their costs rise by 18.7 percent, from $42,329 in 2003 to an estimated $50,236 in 2004. The cost per household will reach an estimated $142.72.

The residents of Gore Bay are the Islanders paying the most on a per household basis, at an estimated $327.98. They will see an increase of approximately 17.5 percent, from $116,132 in 2003 to an estimated $136,441 in 2004, a total of approximately $20,000.

In Billings, the cost of policing is scheduled to rise by 14 percent, from $116,6632 in 2003, to an estimated $132,950 in 2004. The approximately $16,000 increase amounts to $221.95 per household.

Burpee-Mills will see the lowest overall increase for policing services, coming in at nine percent. The rise represents a difference of approximately $4,000, from $40,653 in 2003, to an estimated $44,317 in 2004. The per household cost works out to $147.23.

Residents of Gordon Township will see a 12.4 percent increase in their policing costs, from $56,148 in 2003 to an estimated $63,136 in 2004, a difference of approximately $7,000. This amounts to approximately $129.11 per household.

Even though Barrie Island will see an estimated 14.6 percent increase in policing costs, residents of the township still enjoy the lowest cost per household at $46.84. The total cost will increase from $3,310 in 2003 to an estimated $3,794 in 2004, a difference of $484.

Overall, Manitoulin will see a 14.8 percent increase for the Island, from $1.3 million in 2003, to an estimated $1.5 million in 2004. The average cost per household on Manitoulin comes to $234.54.