Island Health's Medical Health Officers oversee a wide variety of initiatives designed to promote and protect public health.
Public health is the organized effort of society to protect and improve the population's health and well being through the following:
- Health promotion
- Reducing inequalities in health status
- Prevention of disease, injury, disability, and premature death
- Protection from environmental and other hazards to health
Visit this page to read MHO Newsletters
Contact your local Medical Health Officer
Chief Medical Health Officer
Dr. Réka Gustafson
1837 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1J6
Sooke region, West Shore, Saanich Peninsula, Southern Gulf Island and Urban Greater Victoria
Dr. Carol Fenton
1837 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1J6
Dr Christina Kay
1837 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1J6
Dr. Melissa Wan
1837 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1J6
Dr. Mike Benusic (Casual)
1837 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C.
V8R 1J6
Central Island - Cowichan Region
Dr. Melissa Wan (Interim)
202 - 6425 Norcross Rd.
Duncan B.C.
V9L 6C5
Central Island - Nanaimo, Oceanside
Dr. Mark Cachia (interim)
3rd Floor, 6475 Metral Drive
Nanaimo B.C.
V9T 2L9
Comox Valley, Strathcona and North Island
Alberni-Clayoquot
Dr. Charmaine Enns
355 - 11th St
Courtenay, B.C.
V9N 1S4
Medical Health Officer on call
For Public Health emergencies after hours, on weekends or on statutory holidays, that require immediate physician attention, call the Medical Health Officer on call at 1-800-204-6166.
Report an issue
Island Health monitors facilities and systems related to public health.
Learn how to submit a complaint or report an issue:
- Child care facilities
- Long term care facilities – through the Community Health Office
- Tobacco & vapour retail enforcement, smoke-free spaces
Contact your local environmental health officer for complaints and inquiries related to:
- Communicable disease
- Drinking water
- Food safety
- Personal service inspections (tattoos, tanning, and piercings)
- Sewerage systems
- Recreational water (beaches, pools)
Core Public Health Functions Framework
As part of BC’s commitment to public health care renewal and improvement, the Ministry of Health has produced the Core Public Health Functions Framework.
The framework defines core public health services that BC’s health authorities will provide to strengthen the link between public health, primary care, and chronic disease management.