The GNWT is seeking feedback from the public on certain disease surveillance regulations.
The territorial government is considering amendments to the ways they keep track of diseases, and are looking to create additional avenues of registration, as well as update the Schedules and reporting requirements for reportable diseases, conditions, and tests.
It is their hope that these new amendments will assist the Department of Health and Social Services in dealing with emerging diseases in a timely manner to ensure the health of residents is protected.
The proposed changes are as follows;
– Add a Chronic Disease Register and make a broader Cancer Screening Register to help with identifying, tracking, and forecasting population health concerns. This will allow for effective resourcing, evidence-based policies, and programs to meet federal reporting requirements.
– Update the reportable diseases, conditions and tests outlined in the Schedules to reflect current best practices.
– Remove the requirement for researchers to apply directly to the Chief Public Health Officer for access to health information. It is now the GNWT Research Coordinator who takes the request.
– Collection of information now includes mandatory reporting on:
* sex assigned at birth, to account for predetermined risk factors that are based off one’s genetic characteristics; and
* any potential communicable disease or condition that is not considered reportable under the usual regulations, or if the disease or condition is occurring in a cluster or outbreak and has presented itself with unusual signs or symptoms.
– Updated language to be gender neutral.
NWT residents can send in their feedback by clicking here.
