Health

Nanaimo trails only Victoria for Vancouver Island toxic drug deaths

NANAIMO - The deadly trend of toxic drugs killing people on Vancouver Island continues to worsen. In the first three months of the year 596 lives were lost in the first three months of the year in BC....

Apr 18, 2023

'Their health is going to suffer:' food service funding ends for local seniors

NANAIMO - Expiring COVID-era provincial government funding is having major ripple effects on dozens of local seniors who benefitted from a range of convenient and vital services.Funding for local orga...

Mar 31, 2023

Nanaimo hospital receives funding for new acute care ward

NANAIMO - Provincial funds are at last flowing for a long-discussed high acuity unit (HAU) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (NRGH)Funding led by the province was confirmed for a 12 bed high acuit...

Mar 23, 2023

Island Health encouraged with influenza trajectory following challenging season

NANAIMO - A severe, fast-striking flu season fizzled after peaking for about three weeks between mid November and early December. Dr. Michael Benusic, an Island Health medical health officer, said the...

Daryl Major Mar 13, 2023

COVID-19 spring booster campaign geared toward highest risk British Columbians

NANAIMO - A newly announced spring booster program focuses on the elderly and vulnerable.During a Friday, March 10 media briefing provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated the next round of bo...

Mar 10, 2023

'We've become a very busy location:' usage spike reported at Nanaimo overdose prevention site

NANAIMO - A newly opened enhanced venue for drug users to safely consume led to a sharp increase in clients taking advantage of the service. Inhalation users represents more than 80 per cent of the ro...

Alex Rawnsley Mar 10, 2023

Nanaimo leads Vancouver Island in toxic drug deaths in January

NANAIMO - Tainted drugs continue to have a significant impact on the Harbour City.The Greater Nanaimo area recorded 12 fatalities linked to toxic drugs in January, according to new data from the BC Co...

Mar 07, 2023

Nanaimo business fined $25K for 'repeated high-risk safety violations'

NANAIMO - A local business operator had a notable fine levied against them for how it handled an on-site rodent infestation, resulting in a serious illness to an employee.A WorkSafe BC penalty summary...

Feb 10, 2023

Contentious Nanaimo harm reduction service closes, NANDU faces unclear future

NANAIMO - A controversial drug consumption service on Nicol St. will officially be no more as of March 1.The site, located at 264 Nicol St. is run by the Nanaimo Area Network of Drug Users (NANDU), wh...

Feb 06, 2023

Historic pilot project decriminalizing drugs takes effect in B.C.

NANAIMO - British Columbia will become the first province to remove penalties for adults possessing small amounts of certain drugs.Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31, people 18-years-old and up won't be arres...

Jan 30, 2023