Putting patients first

Notre Dame

Health care is something every Manitoban relies on, whether it’s a parent caring for a sick child, a senior managing a chronic condition, or a worker trying to see a doctor without missing a full day of work. I hear from people across Notre Dame and beyond who want a system that is simpler, more responsive, and built around patients.

That’s why improving health care remains one of the top priorities of our NDP government.

One of the most practical changes we’ve made is modernizing how Manitobans access the system. Over the past year, we moved away from outdated paper health cards and introduced durable plastic cards, and now, we have introduced digital health cards that can be securely stored on your phone through the MB Wallet app. Manitobans can choose paper, plastic, digital, or all three. It’s about choice, convenience, and putting people in control of their care.

We also launched MediNav, Manitoba’s new online booking system that helps people find same-day or next-day appointments at participating clinics like our very own Notre Dame health clinic. Instead of waiting hours in an emergency room for a non-emergency issue, Manitobans can now book care close to home, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Thousands of people are already using MediNav, and every appointment booked means faster access to care for someone who needs it.

We know care doesn’t stop after hours. That’s why new urgent care and extended-hours primary care clinics are now open at Grace, Concordia, Victoria, and St. Boniface hospitals. These clinics are staffed with doctors, nurses, and primary care assistants and are connected to family doctors to ensure proper follow-up. It’s more care, when you need it.

Fixing health care also means tackling staffing shortages head-on. Our government has added 3,397 net new health-care workers across Manitoba, including physicians, residents, nurses, midwives, health-care aides, and allied health professionals. We’ve also expanded international medical graduate residency seats so more doctors can train and stay right here in Manitoba, strengthening care in communities like Notre Dame.

At the same time, we’ve reduced unnecessary red tape by eliminating sick note requirements for short-term illnesses — saving patients time and easing pressure on clinicians so they can focus on care, not paperwork.

There is more work to do, but real progress is happening. We’re listening, we’re acting, and we’re building a health-care system that puts patients first.

It is an honour to serve as the MLA for Notre Dame and to work every day to uplift our community. If you have ideas, concerns, or need support navigating government services, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at malaya.marcelino@yourmanitoba.ca or by phone at 204-799-0800.