Liberals must act urgently to deliver the health care our children need

NDP Health Critic Don Davies issued the following statement:

“Nothing is more important to Canadians than the health of their children. Across the country, children’s hospitals are stretched as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, COVID-19 and flu-like illnesses spike. Children are being admitted to ERs and ICUs — families are terrified for their loved ones and expect swift action to tackle this crisis. And as the Public Health Agency of Canada warns us of the triple threat of viruses, RSV, flu influenza and COVID-19, children’s hospitals are already operating at 150% occupancy — urgent government action is needed now.

The ongoing shortage of children's Advil and Tylenol across the country is making a bad situation, worse. And now, we're hearing about shortages to kids' antibiotics. The Liberals must address this shortage swiftly to avoid more serious respiratory viruses among children and the influx of kids in our hospitals.

Instead of pointing fingers at the provinces and territories, Justin Trudeau must show leadership and act to manufacture these pediatric medicines here in Canada and to tackle the crisis in our hospitals. Hospitals across the country no longer have beds for our kids. We need to act before this becomes life or death for our loved ones.

An all-hands-on deck approach is needed to care for kids in this country. New Democrats will continue to pressure the Liberal government to act to protect and strengthen our healthcare system so that children can get the health care they need when they need it.”