Tag: Fort MacMurray

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Ft Mac Health

Abortion Services Nonexistent in Fort MacMurray

abortion services, Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray residents soon find that abortion services are nonexistent in the area, forcing many women to travel hundreds of kilometers, face additional expenses, and undergo a lot of stress and emotional upheaval in order to access these services elsewhere. Fort MacMurray is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and the lack of abortion services in the area is well known yet no one is doing anything to resolve this problem. Abortion is one of the most commonly used reproductive health services, yet for women in the Fort MacMurray area there is nowhere to turn and the woman must travel quite a distance to get access. This is not a problem unique to Wood Buffalo either, research shows that many Canadian women who live in boom towns and rural areas also lack this basic service which is usually widely available in urban areas.

Late term abortion services may be provided by the local hospital in Fort MacMurray, but only when the health or life of the mother is at risk and this is a rare occurrence that only occurs if a life threatening emergency comes up. According to one source “You basically have young women in Fort McMurray who have choice dependent on whether or not they can take time off work and find the money to go down to Edmonton or Calgary. You’re essentially privatizing the service for rural women.” In the past the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre did consider abortion services in Fort MacMurray, however around 90% of the residents opposed this and wrote comments to the medical facility so that abortion services were not provided.

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Breaking News Ft Mac

Fatal Crash Near Fort MacMurray Leaves One Dead

Fort MacMurray, fatal crash

A fatal crash near Fort MacMurray has left one person dead, and another hospitalized in critical but stable condition in Edmonton. The one vehicle accident occurred at around 2 am on Wednesday morning, and the RCMP responded to the scene which was situated almost 40 km north of Fort MacMurray. According to Cst. Mylene Michon “They hit a parked lowboy … and sustained pretty serious injuries.” No further details could be released about the accident at the time. The passenger in the vehicle was a male who was in his twenties, and he passed away while still at the accident scene before he could be transported to a medical facility. The driver of the vehicle was airlifted from the scene to an Edmonton hospital where the patient was listed as being stable but in critical condition.

The latest fatal crash near Fort MacMurray is a reminder to everyone in the region about the hazards of traveling the roads in the winter. Even when drivers are paying full attention to the road and they take the weather and road conditions into consideration accidents still happen. In this accident the investigation is still continuing, and the police have not provided a lot of details to the public about what happened. Since the fatal crash occurred early in the morning poor visibility may have been a factor. Anyone who has any information about this accident should contact the RCMP at 780) 788-4000 or to give Crime Stoppers a call at (800) 222-8477 and detail what they know.

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Entertainment Ft Mac

Hopscotch & Wines Festival Coming to Fort MacMurray March 21

Hopscotch & Wines Festival, Fort MacMurray

The Hopscotch & Wines Festival is coming to Fort MacMurray soon, so wine enthusiasts should write in the event on March 21 on their calendars. The festival will be held at the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre Fort McMurray from 4 pm until 10 pm. That is 6 hours of scotch, wine, beer, music, giveaways, and food to enjoy. There is a $35 entry fee, and those who attend must be at least 18 years old. The event staff will be checking identification at the door to prevent any underage drinking. Sample tickets for the event will cost $1 each, and every sample will cost between two and three tickets. 100.5 Cruz FM is the media sponsor for the event and will be promoting the festival in the days to come.

Fort MacMurray may be somewhat remote but that does not mean that area residents can not socialize and have fun in an upscale environment when the Hopscotch & Wines Festival is held on March 21. Thickewood Wine and Spirits will be in attendance and onsite, that way anyone can purchase the favorites that they sample before they leave to go home. Many people in Wood Buffalo feel that there is not enough to do in the winter months when the bitter cold and hostile weather makes it difficult to get out of the house. Adults in the area may appreciate a change for an evening with other adults, great food, and some fine spirits. This festival is sure to draw a big crowd.

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Fort MacMurray Insecticide Poisoning Claims Second Child

Fort MacMurray, insecticide poisoning

A second child has succumbed after the recent insecticide poisoning in Fort MacMurray, but the third child in Stollery hospital is still recovering and is doing well right now. The 2 year old toddler of the family was listed in critical condition in Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton until late Thursday, when the toddler passed away from complications caused by the phosphine exposure. Adding to the sad and tragic death was the fact that the funeral for the 8 month old who also passed away because of the phosphine exposure was held Thursday as well. The entire community has rallied around the family involved, with fund raising activities and heartfelt condolences from everyone in the area. According to Markaz-Ul-Islam mosque spokesperson Wajeehullah Arain “It’s very very difficult for the family. It’s hard to say, and I can only imagine what the parents are going through. There’s still one more kid who is suffering, so we need to keep them in our thoughts with our condolences to the family. It is a trying time for them.”

The family affected by the Fort MacMurray insecticide poisoning is asking for privacy right now as they grieve for the children who are lost and try to stay strong for the children who remain. Wajeehullah Arain continued by saying “The other child is improving, and that’s really positive news. I hope that makes some closure for the family. They’ve really suffered a lot. We need to recognize that they’re going through this terrible time and it’s important to respect their privacy while they heal, and give them the space to come together. I do want to again acknowledge that the absolute support from the community at large has been incredible and I think that it’s also an important step towards healing and also providing the support that the parents need. I can’t imagine what this would have been like without that.”

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Ft Mac Health

Fort MacMurray Associate Medical Clinic Closes Permanently

Associate Medical Clinic, Fort MacMurray, Dr. Keet Peng Wong

The Associate Medical Clinic in Fort MacMurray has closed the doors permanently because of difficulties in locating medical staff or a buyer interested in the property. The clinic was operated by Dr. Keet Peng Wong, who passed away last summer. Wong was an obstetrician gynecologist who is believed to have delivered more than 20,000 babies in Fort MacMurray over his career. Once Dr. Wong passed his family members started searching for someone who could take over the private practice, which is situated at Riedel Street and Franklin Avenue, but so far there have been no serious takers. The doors to the clinic were closed in October.

According to Chris, the son of Dr. Keet Peng Wong, “We tried looking for someone to take it over, either a group or a physician, but no one was either willing or able to do so. The rent itself is quite expensive and it’s a very large property, like 4,400-square-feet. Just the amount of space and what it cost threw people off,. So for us to maintain the property and pay the lease, but not as an active business, is not financially responsible.” This resulted in the Associate Medical Clinic in Fort MacMurray being closed for good. Dr. Wong was the first certified OB/GYN in the entire region when he first arrived in Fort MacMurray in 1978, and the physician often worked 60 o 80 hours a week just to keep up with growing demand. Wong delivered Fort McMurray-Conklin MLA Don Scott’s children, and Scott said “His loss and the loss of the clinic is a tremendous loss to us. He was a very good friend of our family. It’s very upsetting they were not able to recruit staff to take things over.”

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Breaking News Ft Mac Health

Accidental Pesticide Poisoning in Fort MacMurray Still Under Investigation

accidental pesticide poisoning, Fort MacMurray

An accidental pesticide poisoning in Fort MacMurray is still under investigation, although there is no indication that the incident was anything but an unfortunate accident. What is known so far is that the family was using phosphine pesticide pellets in their apartment to try and eliminate a bed bug problem, and the entire family reported to the Fort McMurray Regional Health Centre after they started to experience symptoms of phosphine exposure, and the mother and the children were admitted for exposure to and symptoms of phosphine poisoning. An eight month old infant died, and two of the four other children are still in critical condition at Stollery Childrens Hospital in Edmonton. The mother of the family and the other two children were initially hospitalized at the Fort McMurray Regional Health Centre but they were recently released, and they have gone to Edmonton to be near the two children who are still in critical condition there.

It is not clear whether any criminal charges could be filed in the accidental pesticide poisoning in Fort MacMurray, but as long as the incident was actually an accident it is doubtful that any charges will be filed against the parents. The entire community ha come together to provide support and raise funds for the family, and everyone wants to help in any way that they can. The family already lost their 8 month old, and two more of their children are still critical and their recovery is not guaranteed. So far the RCMP investigation shows that the exposure was accidental and few expect that to change.