Community Services Unit Resources

The Community Services Unit provides 3rd level support in nursing (home care, primary care, and community health), mental health and addictions, emergency preparedness, nutrition, tobacco control, and ehealth.

eHealth

Electronic Health (eHealth) is the use of Information Technology solutions to support the business of health care. Examples of eHealth solutions are:

  • Panorama, a web based immunization management database system
  • Telehealth and video conferencing for remote meetings, training and medical consults
  • Internet connectivity for research, email, and remote access
  • Microsoft Office for general business productivity

Emergency Response

Northern Communities have unique risks that need to be managed appropriately to minimise harm to communities. The risks could be from fires, floods, or adverse weather affecting critical infrastructure such as roads, power, or potable water.

The purpose of emergency response/management is to identify the risks and minimize the negative effects to health through planning and community preparedness.

Nutrition

Nutrition is eating the right kind of food from birth to old age so you can grow properly and be healthy. Good nutrition can decrease the risks for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

Nursing

The nursing program at NITHA brings leadership, innovation and vision to support and/or supplement the Partnership in the areas of Home Care, Community Health and Primary Care nursing programs. The program strives to foster a high standard of nursing within the Partnership by providing clinical, educational and policy support covering nursing practices.

Tobacco Control

The overall goal of Tobacco control is to address the commercial misuse of tobacco while being respectful of the traditional use of tobacco. While traditional tobacco is used for spiritual, cultural and ceremonial purposes, commercial tobacco is very harmful to our health.

Smoking Mobile Cessation App has been developed to help smokers who want to quit.

Quit Smoking Posters

LLRIB – Quit Smoking Poster (JPG, Orange, Eng)
LLRIB – Quit Smoking Poster (JPG, Orange, Eng)
MLTC – Quite Smoking Poster (PDF, Blue, Dene)
PAGC – Quit Smoking Poster (JPG, Purple, Eng)
PBCN – Quit Smoking Poster (JPG, Yellow, Eng)
LLRIB – Quit Smoking Poster (PDF, Orange, Cree)
MLTC – Quite Smoking Poster (JPG, Blue, Eng)
PAGC – Quit Smoking Poster (JPG, Green, Eng)
PAGC – Quit Smoking Poster (PDF, Green, Dene)
PBCN – Quit Smoking Poster (PDF, Yellow, Cree)

Tobacco Booklet
Tobacco Cessation Poster – No smoking near entrances
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Please respect my right to stay smoke free, Keep your distance
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Please respect my right to stay smoke-free
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Don’t take shortcuts with your children’s health!
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Smoking in a vehicle with your children <16
Tobacco Cessation Poster 1- You smoke? Your family smokes
Tobacco Cessation Poster 2 – You smoke? Your family smokes
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Daddy’s lungs
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Refuse to be a statistic
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Face off! Smokeless tobacco kills!
Tobacco Cessation Poster – You want to play longer? Say no to smokeless tobacco!
Tobacco Cessation Poster  – Give chew the slap slot!
Tobacco Cessation Poster  – The best tobacco for your children is sacred tobacco
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Kick the chew, keep your smile
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Starting is easy, quitting is difficult!
Tobacco Cessation Poster – Smokeless doesn’t mean harmless
Tobacco Cessation Poster 1 – Be mindful, be prayerful. Keep tobacco sacred!
Tobacco Cessation Poster 2 – Be mindful, be prayerful. Keep tobacco sacred!

Northern Saskatchewan Breathe Easy Project

Public Health Unit Resources

Under the direction of NITHA Medical Health Officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, the Public Health Unit (PHU) provides advice and expertise for various public health programs including population health assessment, disease surveillance, health promotion, health protection, and disease and injury prevention. PHU also provides direct assistance in the prevention and management of tuberculosis.

Communicable Disease Control

A communicable disease is a disease caused by a germ which can be passed on to other people by a variety of means. The germ may spread rapidly and can possibly affect many people in the community in a short period of time. A timely response and intervention by the health agency is needed to control its further spread. Examples of communicable diseases are the sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis C, pertussis and influenza.

Environmental Health

Environmental Health officers are responsible for carrying out inspections and monitoring for the prevention of public health and general safety hazards. Environmental Health Officers work with agencies, tribal councils, and individuals to reduce the risk of illness and injury from an environmental concern.

Health Promotion

Health promotion refers to the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve their health (WHO, 1986). Health promotion not only focuses on strengthening the skills and capabilities of individuals, but also on changing the social, environmental, and economic conditions so as to positively impact public and individual health.

Infection, Prevention & Control

Infection Prevention and Control is an important component of health care that refers to policies, practices, and procedures that help to prevent or minimize the risk of spreading infections in health care settings. Infection prevention and control measures protect clients (residents/ patients), employees and visitors from acquiring Healthcare -Associated Infections (HAI).

Immunization

Nursing program provides overall immunization coordination and ongoing education to nurses and other members of the health care team in the area of immunization.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a bacterial infection spread through the air from a person who has active tuberculosis to those who are in close contact. It is most often found in the lungs.

Most people who are exposed to TB never develop symptoms because the bacteria can live in an inactive form in the body. But if the immune system weakens, such as in people with HIV or elderly adults, TB bacteria can become active. In their active state, TB bacteria cause death of tissue in the organs they infect. Active TB disease can be fatal if left untreated.

TB Docuseries

This 4-episode docuseries follows the course of a 2019 TB outbreak in a small, northern First Nations community.

The series delivers:

  • in-depth stories of TB survivors and front line workers;
  • educational information on promising strategies for outbreak response;
  • insights into what is needed to end TB in northern First Nations communities.

This podcast was developed in partnership with the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) and the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH). Episodes are narrated by Rick Harp.

TB Talks – A community outbreak story

TB Videos
TB Audio Clips
TB Survivor Stories
TB High Risk Screening and Educational Tools – Primary Care/Community Health
Weblinks & Manuals

HIV and Hepatitis Programs