There is a growing backlog of surgeries and more cancellations of key procedures as the COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba progresses, says the group representing doctors from across the province.
“We are very close to being on the edge of the abyss,” said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, President of Doctors Manitoba on Tuesday.
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“This pandemic has shown how little flexibility there is in our healthcare system.”
To cope with the growing number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units, the province has shifted resources from other areas. It has reduced the number of surgeries and diagnostic tests.
In recent days, he canceled some non-urgent heart surgeries to ensure there were enough staff to cover the intensive care beds.
The backlog of tests and surgeries has increased every month, according to Manitoba Physicians Tracking. The latest data from the group says that the backlog of surgeries increased by more than 2,300 last month to surpass 56,000 for the first time.
Most diagnostic tests, including mammograms and ultrasounds, also saw a longer delay, while the waiting list for MRIs decreased slightly.
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Thompson said he fears the province is approaching the dire situation it was in last spring, when dozens of intensive care patients had to be transferred to other provinces due to lack of beds.
Although the number of people in intensive care is less than during the peak last spring, the situation is problematic now as nurses and other workers are leaving ICUs and emergency departments, he said.
“There are a lot of people who are just getting fed up, who have left to work in other sectors of health care, other different medical specialties,” Thompson said.
“I think people leave because they feel like they can’t care for patients the way they should.”
The office of Health Minister Audrey Gordon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gordon has promised that he will introduce a new task force on Wednesday to reduce delays.
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The Doctors Manitoba statistics were released on the same day the province announced its first known case of COVID-19 related to the Omicron variant.
The province said the person was experiencing mild symptoms and had traveled from one of 10 African countries that have been restricted by the federal government because of the variance.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, much like a cold or the flu. Some people may develop a more serious illness. Those most at risk for this are older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung, or kidney disease. If you have symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent hand washing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as long as possible and keeping a distance of two meters from other people if you go out. In situations where you cannot keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend wearing a non-medical mask or covering to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets that can transmit the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.
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