By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
Town of Osoyoos staff are to conduct a review to determine the facts around joining the Rural Health Network, an advocacy group that champions rural health. Paul Adams, Executive Director of BC Rural Health Network presented to the town council to persuade them to join the network.
“We have come today to request your membership in our network. To help increase the voice of rural residents on their health and well-being,” Adams began.
The BC Rural Health Network website says that they consist of healthcare advocacy organizations working in cooperation with healthcare policymakers to promote health for rural communities across British Columbia.
“Our purpose is to share successful strategies in an effort to address rural health care concerns. We advocate for policy changes and provide all rural residents with attachment to a health care practitioner.”
The network also identifies areas of research to provide access to health care in rural communities. They inform the Ministry of Health of rural concerns and recommend solutions.
Membership in the network costs $50 per year. Once a town is in the network, Adams explained there are two options: “choose to engage or not engage, you can take a backseat and we will advocate on behalf of all rural residents, and include Osoyoos as a member in our network, or you can choose to get directly involved.”
The network had 21 municipalities as members as of the Jan. 24 Council meeting, including Oliver and Keremeos.
