While the system, the Health Care System, has been successful to a certain degree in delivering health care to the Canadian people, extending the program to address the diversified needs of all Canadian people, specifically those in rural communities, has been a challenge. The delivery of such is deficient in regard to rural health care. A number of causes collectively form part to the underlying problem of rural healthcare delivery plus the geographic misdistribution of physicians, inequitable access to primary care services, underserved areas, and overworked physicians in rural and remote communities (Herbert, R., Canada’s Health Care Challenge).
Possible solutions to bridge this health-status gap of Canadians were particularly drafted such as Redefining Rural Canada, Community Based Solutions, Rural Incentive Plans, Telehealth and several Federal Actions and National Policies. Rural Canada is faced with the challenge that demands coordinated effort and change. The concept of “health for all” is the underlying strength in Canada’s healthcare system – a reminder of such a fact has never been more relevant (Ibid).
Health Care Programs in the Provinces of Canada Prince Edward Island and the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health is responsible for health services to Islanders. The government provides the services such as acute care facilities, community hospitals, provincial manors, in-patient mental health facility, community programs, facility health centers, public health, home care, community additional programs, community mental health etc. All such services delivered with dedicated professional staff.
The Health Care Insurance Plan is provided under the Hospital and Diagnostic Services Insurance Act, 1988. Insured hospital services are also provided by the Act. In this manner, hospital services are available to the insured whether in or out patient without charge. An insured hospital service includes nursing services, laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures, accommodations, drugs, etc. The health services and plans are designed to cover the residents of Prince Edward Island.
The resident must register with the Ministry for such insured hospital and medical services. Those who are not covered in this scheme are eligible for other services and other government programs like Workers’ Compensation or the Department of Veterans Affairs’ program. These ineligible persons may be members of the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and inmates of Federal Penitentiaries. Foreign students, tourists, and visitors to the State do not qualify as residents of the province.
Hence, they will not be eligible for hospital and medical insurance benefits. The health card will be issued after application is reviewed and such health card will be sent to the resident within two weeks. The health card will be valid for five years. When a health card is due to expire, the holder is notified to renew his card six weeks prior to its expiration. As on 31st March 2007, the numbers of residents registered for health care insurance plan are 145,047. The insured hospital service is one of the features available for Prince Edward Island Health cardholders.
This is available to both in-patient and out-patient which includes nursing, laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures, accommodations and meals at a standard ward rate, formulatory drugs, biological and related preparations which were prescribed physician, operating room etc. The Cabinet adds new hospital services as may deemed necessary. As of March 2007, seven acute care facilities have been added to the insurance plan. Secondly, insured physician services pertain to the one amongst the features of this territory’s Health Care Policy.
Medical practitioners provide the insured physician services. At present the total number of practitioners on record is 314. The basic health services rendered by a Medical practitioner may be available at home or at hospital which includes surgical services, obstetrical services, pre or post natal care newborn care, or any complications of pregnancy, miscarriage etc. Then, there is the insured surgical dental service which does not, generally, include dental care in the health care plan but when a surgical dental procedure is deemed necessary, this feature of the Health Care Policy works through.
A surgical dental procedure is, of course, upon prior approval of a registered practitioner. Home care services and ambulatory health care services are among the two other feature of the Health Care Plan, the Islanders get. Home Care provides support in the convenience of a patient’s home which will include nursing, personal care, occupational and physical therapies, adult protection, palliative care, home and community based dialysis etc. Professional Fees for the services rendered is also covered by the Health Care Plan.
On the other hand, in order to increase social interaction and awareness, adult day programs are provided so that recreation, socialization for elders will be existed. This is through the Ambulatory Health Care which conducts the Adult Day programs across the Prince Edward Island. It is a community-based service and is operated under medical direction and supervision. Finally, the uninsured hospital, physician and surgical-dental services which is provided by the Province and are not covered by Hospital services Plan.
Services to such persons who are eligible under other provincial or federal legislations; Mileage or travel for health reasons; Advices or prescriptions over telephone, Examinations required in connection with employment, insurance, education etc; Group examinations, immunizations; Surgery for cosmetic purposes; Dental services other than basic health services; Eyeglasses and special appliances; Reversal of sterilization procedures; and In vitro fertilization are among the few which can be covered by the Health Care Policy of Prince Edward Island upon scrutiny and approval of the Ministry of Health.