rELEASES
The offical opening of Canada's most comprehensive newborn screening program at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) took place on May 23, 2006, with Dalton McGuinty, Premier and MPP for Ottawa South, and a number of his caucus colleagues were there to cut the ribbon. CHEO's newborn screening program means that every baby born in Ontario will be screened for server
rare genetic disorders, said Dalton McGuinty at the opening.
The government is investing $7 million annually to expand the
number of disorders newborns are screened for in Ontario. This investment will also support the lab and help buy new, high-tech screening equipment.
Currently, the lab at CHEO receives blood samples form all Ontario newborns and screens them for three rare genetic diseases. By the end of the year, the lab will screen for 27 disorders. Ontario will now be the only province in Canada to screen infants for blood disorders like sickle cell disease. This is expected to help about 130,000 families each year.
Newborn screening programs identify a range of disorders in infants. Early detection means newborns can be treated sooner which helps reduce the chance of serious health problems later in life.
While at CHEO, Dalton McGuinty also announced increased funding for the hospital's eating disorder clinic. CHEO will recieve $1.5 million to support treatment programs for those suffering from eating disorders.
The new money, totaling $4.5 million province wide, will ensure
that a wider range of services available to prevent and treat disorders closer to home. It is just one part of the McGuinty
government's commitment to community mental health.
McGuinty, MPP
Ottawa South
Constiturncy Office:
1795 Kilborn Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1H 6N1
(p) 613-736-9573 (f) 613-736-7374
(e)dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org