麻豆精选-Mission Renee Merrifield has criticized the NDP government over what she claims is its inadequate response to the crisis in women鈥檚 health care.
The BC United MLA said there is a lack of funding in the 2024 budget for essential cancer services.
鈥淥ver the last seven years, it has become painfully clear that the needs of British Columbian women, especially those battling cancer, have been ignored,鈥� she told the B.C. Legislature on Mar. 4.
Merrifield said B.C.鈥檚 cancer care system was 鈥渂est in class鈥� 10 years ago, and number one in outcomes.
鈥淏ut it has deteriorated to the point of becoming an international embarrassment under the NDP, and it鈥檚 worse for women.鈥�
Stories have emerged about women being directed to medically assisted death because they cannot access timely cancer treatments, she added.
She said a friend who was diagnosed with cancer faced repeated surgery postponements of more than five months.
鈥淲orse yet, when the surgery finally occurred it was significantly more invasive than it would have been had it been performed when it should have.鈥�
Merrifield said waitlists for some services, including consultations, screening results, and surgery are up significantly.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time for this government to step up to prioritize women鈥檚 health and to end this crisis once and for all before anyone else dies.鈥�
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