Manitoba has seen a large reduction in surgeries over last few years: report
Nearly 50,000 fewer surgeries were performed in Manitoba since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report.
On Thursday, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) released new data on the impact of the pandemic on surgeries in Canada, using 2019 surgery numbers for comparison. It found that 48,000 fewer surgeries were performed in Manitoba since March 2020, compared to before the pandemic.
According to CIHI, joint replacements and cataract surgeries accounted for a significant portion of the reduction in surgeries.
The numbers show that only 26 per cent of knee replacements patients had surgery within the recommended time frame of 182 days in 2022. This is down 20 per cent from 2019, when 46 per cent of Manitoba patients had the surgery within the suggested time frame.
The CIHI report also found that Manitoba saw large surgery decreases during the Delta and Omicron waves, with a reduction between 18 per cent and 21 per cent compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
Across Canada, 937,000 fewer surgeries were performed since March 2020, with joint replacement and cataract surgeries accounting for about 24 per cent of these reductions.
CIHI noted that the largest decrease in surgeries took place during the first four months of the pandemic when scheduled and non-urgent surgeries were cancelled or postponed. The not-for-profit organization said that provinces and territories will need to exceed pre-pandemic number in order to reduce surgical backlogs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'Ready to go': Fort McMurray residents prepared for evacuation as crews battle nearby wildfire
An evacuation alert remains in place in the Fort McMurray area on Monday afternoon.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.