Asagwara hoping to persuade cancer specialist to stay in Manitoba

Manitoba’s health minister is hoping to persuade a highly specialized physician to rescind her resignation and remain at the provincial cancer authority.

The Free Press previously reported 14 doctors and medical staff at CancerCare Manitoba penned a letter to leadership in May about the pending resignation of interventional radiologist Dr. Alessandra Cassano-Bailey, which staff called a “huge loss” that could lead to more departures.

“I look forward to having a conversation with Dr. Bailey,” Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said.

“I did give her a call a few times over the weekend. I believe Dr. Bailey is aware of that and now has my phone number.”

Asagwara has spoken to the physician’s colleagues and friends and wants to have a conversation with Cassano-Bailey, who tendered her resignation after efforts to introduce a liver cancer procedure — which is available elsewhere in Canada — were ignored for years.

The procedure — known as transarterial radioembolization — is applicable for specific forms of liver cancer. It is a minimally invasive treatment that uses targeted radiation to block the blood supply to a tumour, which helps to shrink or control its growth and reduce damage to healthy tissue.

Asagwara said “of course” the province would support the doctor’s efforts.

“Our government is always open to establish new and innovative treatments that are going to improve the outcomes for Manitobans,” the minister said at an unrelated news conference Wednesday.

“That’s our priority; making sure that Manitobans can live healthier and have access to technologies, treatments and support in our province that give them a better chance at a better outcome.”

Asagwara cautioned, however, that health care “is not a blank cheque.”

“But it doesn’t mean that we can’t take steps in the right direction… it doesn’t mean we can’t get the ball rolling,” the minister said.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca