March 8, 2022 – Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made a virtual visit to discuss key healthcare and health research issues at the recent meeting of the HealthCareCAN Board of Directors.
Minister Duclos said he welcomed the opportunity to connect with system leaders from healthcare institutions and health research institutes, praising the work of everyone working in the healthcare system for responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I met with HealthCareCAN, whose members are at the forefront of fighting the pandemic, providing treatment and care, and continuing critical health research in challenging conditions,” tweeted Minister Duclos following the meeting. “I want to thank them for the courage, compassion and dedication that they show every day.”
Members of the HealthCareCAN Board of Directors, joined by members of both the Vice Presidents of Research Committee and Health Human Resources Advisory Committee, engaged the minister on topics including addressing health workforce challenges, enhancing support for health research and innovation, bolstering health system infrastructure and improving older adult care in Canada.
Innovation on the agenda
The Board meeting also included a special presentation by Neil Fraser, President of Medtronic Canada, an Associate member of HealthCareCAN, who highlighted the need for a federal strategy and support to fulfill Canada’s potential to be a global leader in health research.
“Canada has brilliant medical minds who carry out remarkable research and come up with ingenious ideas for new health-care delivery models, technologies, devices, and procedures proven to result in better health outcomes for patients,” said Mr. Fraser. “Yet too often barriers and systemic obstacles often prevent these innovations from getting into the hands of clinicians and patients who need them.”
For more on the need for a national, strategic approach to health research and innovation, see this opinion article co-authored by Mr. Fraser and HealthCareCAN President and CEO, Paul-Émile Cloutier in The Hill Times.
