MLA Houston says province lacking in strategy to deal with Lyme

Pictou East MLA Tim Houston believes the province needs to do more to deal with Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment in the province.

Houston brought up the topic during an exchange with Minister of Health and Wellness Randy Delorey in the legislature on Friday.

“To this day, too many people are forced to leave the province to seek treatment because their diagnosis is not always made in a timely manner,” Houston said. “People are increasingly aware of the risks, and are going to greater lengths to prevent contracting the disease, but the health care system is not keeping pace.”

Delorey responded by saying the department is following national guidelines around the assessment and treatment of tick-related Lyme disease.

“We continue to do that work, as well as promote awareness which, as the member acknowledged, people in Nova Scotia are becoming more aware, and being more proactive in our outdoors.”

But Houston said while awareness is getting better “the diagnosis and education is simply not going far enough.”

“My question is, will the minister commit to developing a Lyme disease strategy that will target the gaps in unique circumstances faced by Nova Scotians struggling with this disease?” Houston said.

Delorey said there is ongoing work within the department and with their partners, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and physicians across the province to educate both the public and health care providers on properly identifying and treating Lyme disease.

“Again, the guidelines we follow in our health care system for the identification and treatment does follow our national standards,” he said.

Pictou County is considered a high-risk area in the province for Lyme disease.