Helping students to find health care

SYDNEY — A group of local doctors is helping Cape Breton University (CBU) students find the health care they need.

The newly formed Medical Advisory Committee is comprised of experts in infectious diseases, primary care, pediatrics, emergency care, mental health and public health.

Along with helping CBU determine what improvements to current health-care facilities and services might be needed, the committee and CBU plan to advocate for more provincial coverage for international students.

Meeting eight times a year, the committee's first meeting was Dec. 8 where topics of discussion included how to add hope during the 2020 holiday season, which is very different than previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and if Cape Breton University employees should work on campus during and after the holidays. It's since been decided to have CBU staff work remotely until

Jan. 6, 2021.

“This decision was not made lightly, but it is made in the absolute best interest of employees of CBU,” said president David Dingwall. “While we have every possible precaution in place ... we know that by decreasing the population density we can make it even safer for those who need to physically be here to perform their job functions.”

Dr. Andrew Lynk, Dr. Chris Lata, Dr. R.J. Mackenzie, Dr. Yvonne Libbus and Dr. Reggie Sebastian are the medical advisory committee physicians and their meetings will be held virtually.

“The expertise of this committee will be monumental for us as a post-secondary institutional and community leader and allow us not only to enhance the care we provide but to also better advocate on behalf of our students for the health care they need and deserve,” Dingwall said. “This committee is especially important now with the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, but will remain crucial to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community in the years to come.”