Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 30/02) - Michael Miltenberger wants people to be patient while his department works to resolve health care problems.

"Moving a system this size takes time. We're working at making some very substantive system changes," he said. "We're up to the challenge (but) we just have to stay the course."

His call for patience came two days after a meeting in Yellowknife where he faced questions about staffing problems and falling health worker morale as well as complaints about treatment delays.

"I'm not planning on resigning," said Miltenberger in response to public criticism that he is moving too slowly.

He said he plans to offer some solutions, but offered no timeframe.

Miltenberger ordered an operational review of Stanton to be complete in October and said a plan on recruitment and retention that was supposed to be released Sept. 20 should be ready soon.

He said the GNWT is facing the same problem as every other jurisdiction.

"It's a reality we are going to be like this North America-wide if not world wide for the next five years," he said. "The reality is there are not enough doctors to go around."

The goal, he said, is to ensure that Northerners have access to care when they need it and as quickly as possible.

"The waiting lists are longer than we care but we are providing the services," said Miltenberger.

Finding the money to compete for staff is another problem.

"We are not in a position to be 20 per cent higher than everybody else in the world. It's a race we're never going to win," he said.

"If we don't get a supply we're all going to go broke it's just not sustainable."

A News/North request to interview Premier Stephen Kakfwi on the issue was denied.

Press officer Drew Williams said that the premier will defer to the Minster of Health on all health-related issues. When asked if he would comment on the way Miltenberger has been dealing with the Stanton issue, Williams said: "We don't work that way. The premier will not comment on what one of his ministers is doing."