Quebec introduces program to improve health technology in the regions

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A new program aimed at improving access to healthcare in remote regions was presented on Friday morning by, among others, Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon and CEO of health technology company CTS Jean-Pierre Robert.

As part of the First Line in Health At the conference, they praised the potential of the Harfang program, which will ultimately implement Quebec technologies adapted to the regions to promote access and equity in health care.

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“Health innovation is clearly one of our government’s priorities,” Fitzgibbon said in a speech at the Montreal Palace of Congress. Our network faces significant challenges, Quebec society faces an aging population and also a significant increase in network operating expenses.”

Fitzgibbon said he and Health Minister Christian Dubé believe the private sector’s contribution to health is an opportunity. “I think we need to focus more and more on collaborations with the private sector, research organizations and businesses,” he said.

That vision is not shared by everyone. On Thursday, when Dubé was going to give a speech at the event, he was interrupted by protesters shouting “No to private healthcare!”

Fitzgibbon’s speech on Friday went off without a hitch.

In Quebec, almost one in five people lives in a remote region and does not have the same access to health care as residents of large centers. They face additional costs, access to services is more difficult, they lack specialized resources and there are gaps in health awareness.

These inequalities have consequences for the health of Quebecers living in remote regions, including their life expectancy.

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The Harfang program will survey health facilities and regional health authorities in selected locations to assess their specific needs. It will then launch pilot projects that propose technological solutions.

“Normally, companies, when they start marketing… set up shop in large centers and then go elsewhere. What happens is that remote areas are often left unattended. People are not necessarily aware that these technologies exist or have fewer resources to evaluate them and how they could help them,” Robert said in an interview.

To identify suitable Quebec technologies, the CTS will work in collaboration with the ministry’s health and social services innovation office. A first pilot project should begin within six months, in a remote region that has not yet been determined. Two other projects are planned for next year.

The objective is for healthcare professionals and patients to benefit from technologies that prevent one or the other from having to travel. “It’s all about remote care,” Robert said.

He stressed that Quebec has the resources and experience necessary to achieve this. “We have what we need in terms of technology, whether it’s digital health or medical technology for remote diagnosis, that are available here, from Quebec companies,” she said.

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The Desjardins Group contributed $350,000 to the Harfang program. The Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy and the City of Montreal contribute to the project at the functional level of operations.

Improved role for CLSCs

Another health initiative was announced on Friday, this time by the Minister of the Third Age, Sonia Bélanger.

The role of CLSCs will be strengthened to become the main access point to care and services for older people. This will allow seniors to find all senior and caregiver programs in one place. Health personnel will also be able to better identify people who lose their autonomy to act in prevention.

“Over the years, the role of CLSCs has not been sufficiently valued,” said Bélanger, and these establishments were ideal to respond to a recommendation from Quebec’s commissioner of health and well-being, who wanted to establish regional offices for seniors to facilitate access to home help.

This enhancement of the role of CLSCs will be implemented this year and will be completed in the fall of 2025, the ministry announced.

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