CUPE Alberta launches campaign for health care state of emergency

EDMONTON, AB--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Alberta Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Alberta) has launched an online campaign calling on Premier Danielle Smith to declare a health care state of emergency.

The campaign, located at www.stateofemergency.ca has already collected 9,000 names of Albertans who have sent emails to the Premier calling on the province to declare an emergency.

Last week, the Alberta Medical Association called for the declaration to give health officials more tools to handle overflowing hospitals and emergency rooms.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal, herself a health care worker, pointed to the death of a 44-year-old man at Grey Nuns hospital after waiting eight hours to be seen by medical personnel. There was another case where an elderly patient with influenza waited four days on a stretcher for care.

“There have always been problems in health care, but those problems are worse than ever, and they fall on the laps of the UCP government,” said Uppal. “They have shortchanged funding every year since taking office in 2019, they have blown up the system into multiple confusing organizations, and they have replaced the board of AHS more times than anyone can keep track of.”

Uppal also pointed to the cancellation of new health care projects, like a much needed hospital in southwest Edmonton.

The campaign website is allowing Albertans to post their stories about negative health care experiences. Among those posted include the following:

“Between Christmas and New Year's, a resident in my friend's building spent 36 hours in terrible pain waiting for a bed. He had to go out in freezing temperatures to lie down in his vehicle to alleviate the pain, while his wife remained in the emergency waiting room to hold his spot.”
Esther, Red Deer

“I have breast cancer, it took me 7 weeks to get the results from my second surgery.”
Alvina, Sylvan Lake

“I live in a small rural community and we are without our emergency department on many occasions due to a Doctor shortage. I have to wait two to three weeks to get into see my local Family Doctor. We need help in rural Alberta. Can you please help us?!”
Wendy, Killam

“I spent 7 hrs in Foothills ER on Jan 14 to be diagnosed with a broken ankle. I witnessed the chaos and overwhelming situations our care givers are dealing with. My care was exceptional given the circumstances. Danielle Smith you MUST DO BETTER.”
Irene, Calgary

My grandpa died because of your government. He had internal bleeding, but they couldn't get him a room, they couldn't get him tests to find the bleeding, fast enough because of this crisis YOUR government caused.”
Jenn, Blackfalds

More testimonials at www.stateofemergency.ca

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