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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - FEB/MAR 2013
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
launches healthcare report
The Manitoba Chambers of Com-
merce understands and agrees that
Manitobans want and deserve the very
best public services possible. This in-
cludes having access to the best health-
care services in Canada, provided they
are affordable, effective and sustain-
able over the long-term. As an impor-
tant contributor to the well-being of
our province, the Manitoba Chambers
of Commerce wants to be an active
participant in ensuring this outcome is
achieved.
With a belief that this type of
initiative would be of value to the
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, its’
members, and the province of Manito-
ba as a whole, Mr. Starmer announced
the formation of the President’s Advi-
sory Committee on Healthcare in Man-
itoba on October 26, 2011.
Since December, 2011, the Manito-
ba Chambers of Commerce President’s
Advisory Committee on Healthcare
in Manitoba has been focused on the
complex, multi-faceted topic of health-
care in our province. Using the proven
methodologies of community engage-
ment events, surveys, jurisdictional
reviews/research as well as direct con-
sultations with key healthcare system
stakeholders, the committee shared
information and sought feedback on
Manitoba’s healthcare services from
numerous groups and constituents
throughout the province, including
members of the Manitoba Chambers of
Commerce, on healthcare from a vari-
ety of perspectives.
Three Key Areas of Focus
This report provides a perspec-
tive on three key areas of focus as iden-
tified by the Committee members and
outlined below:
Economic Sustainability
Manitobans must understand the
economics of our province’s health
services so that they possess a baseline
understanding of where they can posi-
tively impact the system itself.
Healthy Living
In the context of this report,
Healthy Living means making positive
choices and taking action and owner-
ship to enhance and enrich one’s per-
sonal physical, mental and spiritual
health. It also requires a commitment
to continued support and investment
in leading practices and programs that
are consistent with supporting, im-
proving, maintaining and/or enhanc-
ing health.
Patients as Partners
Manitobans need to take greater
responsibility for the management of
their own individual health. This is
where the Manitoba healthcare system
can help. Instead of viewing them-
selves solely as a client or customer,
Manitoba patients must become part-
ners in their healthcare relationships.
Increased two-way communication
and education can lead to true owner-
ship, improved outcomes and more
efficient use of the money we spend on
healthcare.
This report addresses these three
priorities and is intended to act as
a catalyst to start a larger, meaning-
ful dialogue among Manitobans, the
provincial government, the healthcare
provider community, the business
community and one another. It is also
intended to provide the framework for
an action plan the Committee plans to
implement in 2013 and beyond.
Why Healthcare is a Top Priority for
The Manitoba Chambers of Com-
merce and one of its’ Key Strategic
Directions for 2012-2015
Identified as one of the Manitoba
Chambers of Commerce’s key initia-
tives over the long term, healthcare has
become a top organizational priority.
A strong, sustainable healthcare sys-
tem in Manitoba will benefit its citi-
zens and the businesses that employ
them, ultimately helping to grow our
provincial economy. A healthier popu-
lation translates into a more produc-
tive workforce. In time, an increased
focus from the business community
on actively supporting Manitoba’s
healthcare system can reduce costs to
government. The money saved can, in
turn, be allocated to other vital areas.
Ultimately, this will positively affect
the Manitoba economy.
For these reasons, the Manitoba
Chambers of Commerce is taking an
active, long-term approach to health-
care.
Source:
CHAMBER NEWS
CHAMBER NEWS
