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Release Date: October 28, 2021
RDOS’ STATEMENT REGARDING THE CURRENT COVID-19 SITUATION IN SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatoon, SK - Throughout the pandemic, resident physicians have stepped up and served their communities in a variety of ways: from working on the front lines of the pandemic to administering vaccines and being redeployed to cover staffing shortages in hospitals. Residents have been at the center of the battle against COVID, working alongside our allied healthcare teams.
We know firsthand the immense amount of stress the pandemic has brought to everyone’s lives. We have seen it day in and day out, wave after wave, patients suffering from the symptoms of this virus and the impact it has on families and communities. The pandemic has affected everyone’s ability to spend time with loved ones, disrupted educational environments, and has produced a great degree of uncertainty in the lives of everyone across the province.
The current wave that we are in has been the worst by far. Hospital wards and ICUs are beyond capacity, health care workers are stretched to the limit, and our health system is on the verge of collapse. With no end in sight and rising demands on the health system, delivering quality care to all our patients is becoming increasingly difficult, and patients are being negatively affected. Since the health system has had to divert significant resources to COVID, this has led to a loss of various “non-emergency” therapies, appointments, and procedures. The pandemic is negatively affecting appropriate care for those who have diligently gotten vaccinated and children who are not yet able to be vaccinated.
There is strong scientific evidence showing that vaccines prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. We urge everyone to get fully vaccinated if you have not already done so and to schedule your booster vaccination as soon as you are eligible. Vaccination will protect you and those around you from experiencing the dangerous symptoms of this virus. As Saskatchewan’s healthcare system is now over-capacity and care must be triaged, this is a way that you can protect yourself and those around you.
In addition to the public health measures that are currently in place (masking and proof of vaccination) we encourage you to stay home if you are not feeling well, avoid large gatherings and reduce your number of direct contacts. Reducing the spread of the virus is key to flattening the curve and reducing the immense pressure in our hospitals.
During this challenging time, Saskatchewan needs to come together to help each other fight this pandemic. Protect your family, protect your neighbours, and protect your healthcare workers. United as a community, we can overcome this pandemic and move forward in building a strong and resilient society.
About RDoS:
Resident Doctors of Saskatchewan is the official voice of all physicians in Saskatchewan who are completing their post-graduate training in specialties through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada. We are doctors who provide front-line patient-centered care while also teaching, conducting research, and managing administrative responsibilities. Saskatchewan is home to nearly 500 resident doctors – all actively working in the health care system.