News
Dr. Paul Hasselback, Medical Health Officer, reflects on a career in public health
When Dr. Paul Hasselback settled on July 9, 2020, as his retirement date, little did he know that he would be stepping down from his Medical Health Officer (MHO) role during dual public health emergencies: the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baby Bed program supports families in central and north Vancouver Island during the pandemic
Island Health encourages new and expecting parents in central and north Vancouver Island to contact public health units in their communities so their families can benefit from the Baby Bed program.
New rainbow crosswalks celebrate Pride and recognize LGBTQ2S+ community
Island Health is celebrating Pride with rainbow crosswalks to show that love is healthy – whatever a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.
COVID-19 antibody testing underway on Cormorant Island
Island Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) are supporting a community led effort to learn more about the COVID-19 virus and the cluster of cases on Cormorant Island.National Indigenous Peoples Day 2020
Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, it is a time to highlight the importance of deepening our understanding of systemic racism so we can actively address health inequities.
Media statement on behalf of all B.C. health authorities: Allegations of systemic racism against Indigenous People in B.C. hospitals
Racism has no place in our hospitals, our workplaces, or our society. We were recently made aware of a report of an unacceptable, racist practice that may be occurring in emergency departments in B.C.
Pride 2020: Trans Care
This Pride post is from A.J. Lowik (they/them/theirs) - PhD Candidate, Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, UBC.
Island Health broadens access for overdose prevention services in the Comox Valley
Island Health will offer a multi-pronged model of overdose prevention services (OPS) in the Comox Valley to better meet the diverse needs of people who use substances, and improve access for those who do not use OPS and remain at high risk of overdose.
Island Health teams took swift action to offer COVID-19 testing across Vancouver Island
When the COVID-19 pandemic started to progress in British Columbia in mid-March, Island Health took swift action to develop COVID testing clinics, with key Island Health staff setting up Vancouver Island’s very first clinic at the Victoria Public Health Unit within three days.