Saskatoon ICU doctor says organ donation suspension is 'just the beginning' amid surging COVID-19 cases
A Saskatoon ICU physician says the suspension of organ donation in the province due to surging COVID-19 cases is “extremely painful and sad.”
“The impact of the COVID-19 fourth wave will be painful and this is just the beginning,” Dr. Hassan Masri said in a Facebook post Thursday.
Masri said organ donation is a critical part of his job that brings him “a lot of joy and satisfaction” to see those who have died donate their organs to save other people’s lives.
“I am sure it is sad and devastating to so many other colleagues that fought hard to have this program and to the families of those who have been waiting for an organ,” the post said.
Saskatchewan has suspended its organ donation program indefinitely as part of the health authority’s surge plan.
For now, the province will only provide immediate tissue donations. The suspension means if an organ donor dies, those organs would not go to anyone, Lori Garchinski, tertiary care director for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), told reporters Thursday.
“Unfortunately, that has been one of the side effects of the surge capacity management that we’ve had to do to support ICU care in the province,” Garchinski said.
Masri said the government has not acted quickly enough to fight COVID-19 and that adding more beds isn’t the solution.
“The medical community and the SHA will continue to do their best to care for our citizens but the delay in taking any actions for weeks has a very tragic price.”
Masri added that mandating vaccines for those who are eligible and enforcing masks must happen in order to get cases under control.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.