Chronic-fatigue patients are neglected

I wrote letters to Health Minister Adrian Dix, with copies to Deputy Premier Carole James, regarding the nearly complete absence of treatment for chronic-fatigue syndrome patients. The reply from the minister of health was disappointing, and aside from an automated acknowledgment from James’s office, I got no reply.

One would think that any mention of suicides and high patient numbers would raise red flags, in any ministry. It didn’t seem to.

The first cause of death among CFS patients is cancer; the second cause of death is suicide. B.C. has its share of the 560,000 registered CFS patients: At least 7,800 or one in 450 people.

I understand that there is now one CFS-literate doctor on the way for that caseload. If there were a muchneeded cellular-level laboratory with the relevant tests, then better treatment would be available and specialists would be easier to attract.

With this disease, lives are often in disarray or are ruined. When you know of someone who must rest to regain the strength before they can bite again, it’s clear how much this person is suffering and why the suicide rate is so high. The lack of treatment for CFS patients has been more like intentional medical neglect, as very few have been able to get trained medical help.

If health care is to be a priority in B.C., we need more progressive treatment.

Murrough O’Brien Saanich