Environmental Public Health Week proclaimed

The importance of Public Health in the midst of a pandemic was the key message during a presentation to Swift Current City Council at their September 21 meeting.

Council proclaimed the period of September 20 to 26 as Environmental Public Health Week in Swift Current following an informative presentation by Bradford Giesbrecht, Senior Public Health Inspector for Swift Current and the current President of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - Saskatchewan branch.

Environmental Public Health Week has been recognized annually by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) since 2003.

“This year’s theme is “Public Health Is A Collective Effort.” We’ve chosen to highlight the role that Environmental Public Health Professionals play in helping protect the health of all Canadians,” Giesbrecht said.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of a strong Public Health system for Canadians, and the role of Public Health professionals in maintaining public health to reduce the burden of disease on the public health system.

“We conduct risk assessments of facilities and eliminate or mitigate sources of contamination, transmission of disease, and injury. While Environmental Public Health Professionals have always worked in the background to prevent the spread of disease, the pandemic has brought their life saving work to the forefront. We saw our Environmental Public Health Professionals educating the public on physical distancing measures, greeting travellers in airports, leading the set up of safe shelters, and guiding the safe reopening of restaurants and small businesses. Our Environmental Public Health

Teams were leaders and partners during the pandemic.”

“We know that increased awareness and appreciation for the work of Public Health Professionals leads to better Public Health outcomes. That’s why we are asking you to take time to acknowledge all of the Environmental Public Health Professionals for their tireless work behind the scenes, both during the pandemic and in the years to come.”

He pointed out that their daily duties include inspections of food facilities, sampling drinking water systems, monitoring recreational water facilities and personal services establishments, and responding to environmental emergencies.

Giesbrecht raised a concern of a staffing shortage which is having an impact on their ability to deliver services.

“We are severely understaffed and we have an extreme staffing crisis on the western part of the province.”

He noted that himself, a student and one manager are the lone remaining public health inspector staff for the former Cypress Health Region. In the upcoming month there will be no staff working in the former Heartland Heartland Health Region, while North Battleford is experiencing a 75 per cent reduction of staff.