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HB NEWS OAKVILLE NATIVE PUSHES FOR NATIONAL HEALTH-CARE STRATEGY FOR COVID LONG HAULERS KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com ae the pandemic be- death and recovery statistics have been the fo- cus; COVID long haulers have always missed the mark in being part of the conversation." “All Canadians, public health-care systems, poli- cy-makers need aware of the complex is- sues of long COVID, how it negatively affects the health and livelihood of Ca- nadians and the impact it has on the workforce and economy," uli of a Facebook support group for COVID long haul- ers, in speaking before the House of Commons stand- ing committee on health last year. Susie Goulding photo. Susie Goulding, for many Canadians the face of long COVID in Canada, spoke to the House of Commons standing committee on health about the dire impacts of the condition. Long COVID is a "mass. disabling event on a scale not seen by most Canadi- The situation is urgent, and we cannot wait any longer to act. ~ Inez Jabalpurwala, global director, VINEX & executive leader, Brain Health Nexus ans living today," she told the committee, as one of several expert witnesses speaking on behalf of the estimated 1.4 million Cana- dians who suffer with lin- gering and often debilitat- ing symptoms for months, even years after the initial viral infection. ulding called for ana- tional health-care strategy to tackle research, treat- ment and lost income for many people too disabled to work due to cognitive dysfunction, crippling fa- tigue and brain injury. She said "robust" information needs to be disseminated equitably so health-care professionals know how to diagnose and treat long ulers. She spoke of long haul- ers who are housebound, some unable to even get out of bed or walk without mo- bility aids, people being fired, leaving them in dire financial situations. Many are gaslit by physicians, he sa said. impact of financial Peete is extreme: small businesses close, jobs are lost, relationships end and the stress of these losses exacerbates symptoms, she said. “We want to contribute, earn a living and be healthy, and we are trying. We need it (long COVID) to be defined asa disability, so we can access existing pro- grams and support. We need emergency benefits." Although treatment clinics have started pop- untry, there aren't enough to deal with the sheer bed of long haulers, she Thereis oe a “burning need" for research and treatment for children with long COVID, as they are under-1 represented and the least understood. "Kids are missing out on their childh Subsequent ‘to her ap- pearance before the com- mittee, Goulding most re- cently joined fellow advo- cates, physicians and re- searchers in putting out an urgent call-to-action to the federal government on long COVID. “Peopl ting. Those without tight-knit social networks, those without substantial emer- gency savings and those without private health in- surance. Canadians are be- = ing left behind. We need A help and can no longer af- § wait for it," said — Goulding Fy i-symp- & tomatic condition, under- 5 standing and treating it ¢ willrequire multidisciplin- 2 ary research and care, said 8 Inez Jabalpurwala, global 8 PS director, VINEx, and exec- 8 utive leader, Brain Health Nexus. "We need a national ac- tion plan and substantial, sustained investments from the federal govern- ment. The situation is ur- gent, and we cannot wait any jonger to act,” added Jabalpurw: Joi ining in the call-to-ac- tion was Nova Scotia sena- tor Dr. Stan Kutcher, who urged Canada to act “now in a strategic manner to help ease the burden of long COVID on our health- care systems, onourecono- my and on the ied of those who are strug; "he said. AIRE ONE HEATING & COOLING UPGRADE TO A HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM 265 & RECEIVE * oD |_ A _A = 2, ie Year ton Warranty “eat mone woes el UPGRADE TO A HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACE * \ \ Pp) — J C C if = A — pane 10 Year Factory Warranty “""°"" FURNACE Y FURNACE 1 piacnostic “PJ, f/ yy} | tune-up DORUH : SPECIAL J) | SPECIAL wee) | *Call for Details *Call for Details a OAKVILLE ! Watson Investments “Our clients enjoy talking about their retirement dreams and we enjoy helping them get there.” Peter & Jennifer Accepting new clients. Please visit com to book a free consultation. Offering safe virtual meetings and e-signatures for new client onboarding. info@watsoninvestments.com ®& (905) 842 -2100 Jennifer Watson MBA, CFP®, CIM® Peter Watson MBA, CFP®, R.F.P., CIM®, FCS! 3 i § z HEATING & COOLING BBB. g Wwww.aireonewest.ca_ —_ EEEG 8 1-888-827-2665