Lobbying the Federal Government for Change
Challenges facing the current Healthcare system in Canada
The Canadian healthcare sector has made significant milestones towards the realization of quality and affordable healthcare provision in the country. However, the sector faces some challenges which must be addressed in time to avoid any potential crisis in the near future. The challenges include;
The aging population
The number of elderly people in Canada is ever-increasing, and these numbers pose serious technicalities in the processes of providing medical care (Valle, 2016, p. 210). The older generation is synonymous with many lifestyle diseases that require proper and frequent medical attention. This situation calls for drastic changes in the manner in which Medicare is administered to cater to the needs of the elderly in society.
Medicare does not cover all medical services.
The health care system in Canada does not provide all the necessary services to the sick. The services that do not require the attention of professionals, such as dentists and surgeons, are excluded (Valle, 2016, p. 211). Consequently, it becomes costly for families to cater for the medical expenses of their loved ones. Such families have to spend extra money in search of alternative and additional healthcare not provided by the state.
Resources to be lobbied in strengthening the healthcare system in Canada
Human resources
The healthcare system in Canada should consider hiring a sufficient number of professionals who are adequately trained, licensed, and motivated to work in the health sector. For any country to succeed in the healthcare sector, it must ensure that the workers in the sectors are adequate in number, and are adequately trained to address the current challenges. This strategy ensures effective service delivery (Kutzin and Sparkes, 2016, p. 2)
Finances
The healthcare system requires proper financial allocation to cater for the ever-increasing needs. The sector uses expensive equipment that must be frequently maintained to ensure its effectiveness. These include x-ray and imaging equipment, cancer screening and diagnosis equipment, and surgical equipment. With adequate financing, the sector becomes more vibrant.
Information
Information about the vaccination coverage, drug availability, and health workers’ performance should be collected at the service delivery points and conveyed to regional and national levels for proper decision making. The process of conveying and retrieving information should be made faster to facilitate service delivery to the patients, thereby strengthening the health sector.
Pharmaceuticals
The state should avail vaccines, diagnostic test equipment, and drugs to various health facilities in the country to ensure effective medication of patients. This should be achieved through the procurement of the said items from domestic and international suppliers with reputable history.
Governance structures
There is a need to initiate, implement, and monitor the basic legal framework required for the smooth running of the healthcare facilities in the country. Similarly, the state needs to protect the rights of patients while undergoing treatment at both private and public facilities. These objectives can only be achieved through effective governance.
How the identified resources would help address the current challenges in the Canadian healthcare system.
Human resources- The availability of physicians, nurses, lab technicians, and general cleaners in health facilities makes service delivery faster and effective. The hiring of more of these professionals would ensure a reduction in work-related stress because they will not be overwhelmed by the growing number of patients. Besides, the healthcare system can then provide all services, even those that require the participation of experts such as surgeons.
Finances- financial resources would make it possible to purchase medical equipment and also pay for the salaries and remunerations of healthcare workers. This would ensure a healthy and conducive working environment for the employees, particularly in public facilities. Better remuneration of workers motivates them, thereby ensuring higher work performance.
Information- adequate and timely dissemination of information at all levels of the sector ensures better service delivery to the patients. It avoids the occurrence of likely medical mishaps that workers are bound to commit. As a result, the healthcare system can effectively manage the pressure that comes with the growing number of patients.
Pharmaceuticals- the process of medication is never complete without administering proper medicine to the patients. Surgical operations must always be accompanied by anesthesia. Proper and timely diagnosis requires plenty and effective reagents, all of which must be availed. The availability of these resources would facilitate the processes of healthcare provision.
References
Kutzin, J., & Sparkes, S. P. (2016). Health systems strengthening, universal health coverage, health security and resilience. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 94(1), 2
. Valle, V. M. (2016). An assessment of Canada’s healthcare system weighing achievements and challenges. Norteamérica, 11(2), 193-218.