Yellowknife (Feb 14/03) - Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Dana Hanson is calling for statesmanship to begin the shift in health care reform.

"We need to put the patient first, absolutely. That is why we are here," said Hanson.

In Yellowknife last weekend Hanson attended the NWT Medical Association's annual general meeting. His speech addressed the need for a national public health strategy.

Hanson suggests the focus of medicare has moved away from the patient and into the political forum.

Hanson said bickering over funding among various jurisdictions has to stop.

"We need some statesmanship," he said.

A proposed independent national body to oversee health may be a way to accomplish that goal, he said.

"We do not see it as a watchdog, we see it as a board that is accountable to the public."

The board would consist of health care providers, various levels of government and the public.

Hanson said it would be mandated to facilitate the provision of health-care.

Combined with other proposed health-care reforms, Hanson said, they are moving in the right direction.

He commented on the need for additional health-care funding by the federal government.

"Although the funding is significant we have a concern that is not sufficient for long term sustainability," said Hanson.

He also touched on aboriginal health, physician recruitment and retention.

Overall he blames the government for slashing training that has meant the number of new physician graduates cannot even keep up with the rate of attrition in Canada.

"The fact we have to rely on other countries for our supply of doctors in unconscionable," said Hanson.

In terms of aboriginal health care, he said, the system has not been optimal to meet the needs in Canada.

He is hopeful, however, that new delivery models focusing on the community may be the answer.

Overall there is a lot of wait-and-see in terms of creating a sustainable health care system across the nation.

"We've started down the right road. Is there enough gas in the tank? I'm not sure," he said.