The will be a virtual regional learning event regarding the toxic drug crisis in the Kootenays on Tuesday, December 5th. The Bridging Community Connections in Nelson: Human Rights and Harm Reduction event is being held from 1-2:30 p.m. During the December 5th virtual event, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition will release a new report with […]

People in West Kootenay/Boundary region are benefiting from better access to care, thanks to the completion of the pharmacy and ambulatory care project at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH). “The opening of the new ambulatory care space and pharmacy at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital is a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering high-quality […]

People living in the Interior region will soon benefit from a new Centre for Health System Learning & Innovation (the Centre) that is being established in partnership with Interior Health and the Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation. This centre is becoming a reality today with a commitment from The Jim Pattison Foundation of $5 million […]

The Nelson Transit Action group is voicing its concern following recent comments by BC Premier David Eby during an open a public forum held recently in Oliver. Premier Eby opened the forum addressing three rural BC faces — health care, transportation and transportation to health care. The Nelson Transit Action said the Premier was a […]

Interior Health is asking young artists to share their thoughts and experience in Interior Health’s second Tobacco and Vaping Poster Contest for a chance to win $150. Young people are the experts when it comes to understanding why youth use tobacco and vape, and how smoking/tobacco and vaping impacts them and their friends, family, school and community […]

Interior Health (IH) has released a five-year Climate Change and Sustainability Roadmap that provides long-term, strategic direction for preparing for and mitigating the health impacts of climate change. IH is committed to being a leader in creating a sustainable and resilient health-care system that equitably contributes to the well-being of clients, patients, staff, communities and the […]

By Sameer Elsayed, Professor of Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University.  First published in The Conversation. It’s been almost four years since the first human cases of COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 were reported. Though the global health emergency was declared over on May 5, 2023, COVID-19 remains a major […]

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug toxicity deaths in August: “Today’s BC Coroners Service report for August 2023 tells a story we have heard too often. We are not just talking about numbers, we are talking about people. We’ve […]

On International Overdose Awareness Day, Interior Health has released the 2022 Medical Health Officer (MHO) report, The Toxic Drug Crisis in BC’s Southern Interior Region (Part 2). Authored by MHO Dr. Carol Fenton, the report updates on the impact of the unregulated substance poisoning emergency since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, explores the various reasons […]

For the 13th consecutive month, more than 190 British Columbians have lost their lives to the toxic, unregulated drug supply, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. “I am saddened to once again report that British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis shows no signs of abating,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. “We are […]