Hospital Crisis, Breakthroughs & Flu Surges

📅 Sunday, February 16, 2025
Your trusted source for Canada’s top health stories—delivered every Sunday.

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🏥 This Week’s Top Health Stories

1️⃣ U.S. Tariffs Could Disrupt Canada’s Medical Equipment Supply

📍 By CBC News – February 10, 2025

• New U.S. Tariffs Threaten Medical Supplies – A proposed 25% tariff on steel and aluminum could impact 40% of Canada’s imported medical equipment, including prosthetics, diagnostic tools, and protective gear.

• Health-Care Providers Brace for Shortages – Santé Québec and Medtech Canada are working on risk mitigation plans as hospitals scramble to secure critical supplies.

🔗 Read More on CBC News

2️⃣ Alberta-Developed Cancer Pill Shows Promising Results

📍 By Sarah Ryan – February 11, 2025

• Zelenirstat: A Pill That Fights Cancer at Home – Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a daily pill that prevents cancer cells from spreading and starves them, showing tumor reduction in early trials.

• Fast-Tracked for Approval – The treatment has been granted fast-track designation by the U.S. FDA, meaning it could reach patients sooner if Phase 2 trials confirm its effectiveness.

🔗 Read More on Global News

3️⃣ Flu Cases Surge Across Canada, Experts Warn

📍 By Amina Zafar – February 12, 2025

• One of the Worst Flu Seasons in a Decade – Doctors report an unusually high number of flu cases, with Quebec seeing 4,600 cases in one week and ICU admissions rising.

• Late Peak & Waning Immunity – Experts say a later flu season peak combined with declining vaccine protection may be driving the surge, urging Canadians to get vaccinated.

🔗 Read More on CBC News

4️⃣ What’s the Cost of an MRI in Canada?

📍 By Syncara

• Public vs. Private MRI Costs – Publicly funded MRIs are free for those with provincial health insurance, but wait times can be weeks or months. Private MRIs cost between $400 and $3,000, offering faster access.

• Cost Breakdown by Scan Type & Location – Prices vary by scan type (brain, spine, full-body) and by city, with Toronto MRIs costing up to $2,500, while Montreal clinics start at $450.

🔗 Read More on Syncara.ca

5️⃣ Saskatoon Woman Calls Out ER Crisis After 12-Hour Wait

📍 By Halyna Mihalik – February 12, 2025

• ER Overcrowding Reaches Breaking Point – A Saskatoon woman describes horrific conditions at Royal University Hospital, where patients suffered heart attacks and severe bleeding in the waiting room during her 12-hour emergency visit.

• Calls for Government Action – She challenges Premier Scott Moe to sit in an ER for 8 hours, while the opposition calls for more nurses and better wages to address the crisis.

🔗 Read More on CBC News

6️⃣ Manitoba’s Health-Care System in Crisis, Nurses Union Warns

📍 By Katherine Dow – February 13, 2025

• Health Sciences Centre Ranked Worst in Canada – A new report shows HSC has the highest hospital mortality rate nationwide, with three other Manitoba hospitals also among the worst performers.

• Severe Nurse Shortages & Rising Wait Times – Nursing vacancies have jumped to 21%, while emergency wait times in Winnipeg have nearly tripled in five years, forcing more patients to leave without care.

🔗 Read More on CTV News

7️⃣ Ontario NDP Unveils Northern Plan, Prioritizing Health Care & Housing

📍 By Jonathan Migneault – February 13, 2025

• More Doctors for Northern Ontario – NDP Leader Marit Stiles promises to hire 350 doctors, double residency spots at NOSM University, and create a northern command centre for physician recruitment.

• Addressing the Opioid Crisis & Infrastructure – The plan includes expanding highways, restoring harm reduction services, and supporting affordable housing initiatives tailored for Indigenous communities.

🔗 Read More on CBC News

👋 That’s a Wrap!

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Until next Sunday,
— The Healthy Canada Weekly Team 🚀