Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Plague Case in Russia, Fall Flu and COVID Vaccines, COVID Protein Research, and Safer Supply Rules

Transcript

Plague Case in Russia, Fall Flu and COVID Vaccines, COVID Protein Research, and Safer Supply Rules · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Good morning, everyone!
• 0:01
  Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:04
  Chow.
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  I am your host, Dr.
• 0:06
  Chi-Ming Chow, and today we're diving into some intriguing health news from around the globe.
• 0:12
  Let's start with a story that's been making headlines internationally concerning a
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  concerning situation in Russia.
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  Recently, a lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia
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  tragically passed away, sparking fears of a potential plague outbreak.
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  The World Health Organization has reported that Russian authorities have assured them there are
• 0:36
  no cases of plague detected among any individuals who had contact with the deceased
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  lab worker.
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  The lab technician, identified as Darya Shipilova, was only twenty-eight years old when
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  she died from pneumonia of an unknown origin.
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  This led to widespread speculation that she might have been infected with pneumonic plague,
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  a severe and highly contagious form of the bacterial illness.
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  However, authorities have stated that her illness resembled a typical acute respiratory
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  viral infection, and no evidence of plague was found in her or anyone else in the city of
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  Irkutsk.
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  Russia's public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has emphasized that no
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  infectious diseases have been reported among the staff at the research institute in the past
• 1:24
  ten days.
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  Extensive testing on the deceased woman found no microorganisms related to her work.
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  They have implemented comprehensive anti-epidemic measures, including identifying
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  and monitoring anyone who had been in contact with her.
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  Interestingly, while some residents in the area initially wore face masks as a precaution, life
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  in the town has largely remained undisturbed.
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  Local officials have confirmed that a significant number of those quarantined have
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  already been released, and the situation is under control.
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  This is a testament to the swift action taken by local authorities to prevent any potential
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  outbreak.
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  On the international front, the Kremlin acknowledged an offer of assistance from former
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  U.S.
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  President Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in managing
• 2:14
  such health concerns.
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  Meanwhile, Health Canada is monitoring the situation but has assessed that there is no
• 2:21
  risk to Canada at this time.
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  Overall, while the initial news of the lab worker's death raised alarms, the proactive
• 2:28
  measures taken by the Russian authorities and the current findings suggest that the public
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  health risk remains low.
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  This is a developing story, and we'll continue to monitor it closely, keeping you updated with
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  the latest information as it becomes available.
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  In Saskatchewan, as we transition into the colder months, health officials are taking
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  proactive steps to combat the anticipated rise in flu and COVID-19 cases.
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  The province has officially opened bookings for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, a timely measure
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  as both illnesses begin to circulate more widely.
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  Dr.
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  Vivian Onaemo, a medical health officer in Saskatoon, emphasized the importance of early
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  vaccination.
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  With the flu already showing increased activity in some regions, and outbreaks occurring
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  earlier than usual, Dr.
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  Onaemo is urging residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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  "It's too early to know exactly how bad it's going to be," she said, "but from what we hear,
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  we're beginning to get increasing numbers."
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  Fall immunization bookings opened on Tuesday, and clinics will start offering vaccinations
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  from the week of October thirteenth.
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  Everyone six months and older in Saskatchewan is eligible for free vaccinations, which are
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  available through pharmacies, family physicians, and mass flu clinics.
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  More information and appointment bookings can be accessed online at fourflu.ca.
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  This is an excellent opportunity for residents to protect themselves and their communities
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  from severe illness.
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  Meanwhile, cutting-edge research is underway at the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon, where
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  Todd Holyoak, a biology professor from the University of Waterloo, is studying a protein
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  vital to the replication of the COVID-19 virus.
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  This research aims to understand the protein's role in the virus's pandemic potential and why
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  it affects individuals so differently.
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  Holyoak believes that this work could lead to an effective antiviral treatment, potentially
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  limiting the severity of future COVID-19 cases.
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  Holyoak highlighted the importance of continued research into coronaviruses, as they have the
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  potential to re-emerge.
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  "I think it's a little bit naive to think that we're never going to see another outbreak of a
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  coronavirus infection within the world's population," he stated.
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  This underscores the need for ongoing development of therapeutic strategies to
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  prevent and treat infections as they arise.
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  Dr.
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  Onaemo also advises the community to take additional precautions to minimize the risk of
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  illness, such as regularly washing hands, using hand sanitizer, and staying home when feeling
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  unwell.
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  These simple yet effective measures can help curb the spread of both flu and COVID-19,
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  keeping the community healthier as we move through the fall and winter seasons.
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  Ontario's medical regulator, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, is actively
• 5:29
  seeking to implement major changes to the guidelines surrounding the prescription of
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  safer supply drugs.
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  This move comes amid ongoing debates about the best approaches to address the opioid crisis
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  that has gripped the province and the country at large.
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  The proposed changes aim to tighten the regulations and oversight on these
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  prescriptions, with the goal of reducing the potential for misuse and diversion of
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  prescription opioids into the black market.
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  Safer supply, for those unfamiliar, refers to the practice of prescribing
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  pharmaceutical-grade medications as a safer alternative to opioids that are commonly
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  obtained on the streets.
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  These street drugs are often laced with highly potent substances like fentanyl, which can be
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  deadly.
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  The most frequently prescribed medication for safer supply is hydromorphone, an opioid that
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  is significantly less potent than fentanyl and its derivatives.
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  Nevertheless, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is concerned about the
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  potential for these prescribed medications to be diverted and misused.
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  One of the key proposals on the table is that physicians should only prescribe safer supply
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  medications in conjunction with opioid agonist therapy, such as methadone, which is designed
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  to treat opioid addiction.
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  Additionally, the college is suggesting an eight-week time limit on these prescriptions
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  and is mandating that the medications be consumed under the supervision of a healthcare
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  professional.
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  These measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the drugs are used safely and
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  effectively, minimizing the risk of diversion.
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  The rationale behind these proposed changes is rooted in the concern about the misuse of
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  prescription medications and the associated risks to both patients and the wider community.
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  Mickey Cirak, a spokesperson for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, emphasized
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  that these amendments are meant to enhance the oversight of safer supply prescribing practices
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  and to reinforce safeguards related to physician prescribing.
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  The college has consulted widely with stakeholders, including physicians,
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  municipalities, healthcare partners, and the office of Ontario's chief medical officer of
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  health, Dr.
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  Kieran Moore.
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  Interestingly, the push for these changes is not coming from the provincial government but
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  rather from the college itself.
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  However, the proposed amendments have received support from Ontario's Health Minister Sylvia
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  Jones.
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  The minister has stated that the government does not support the distribution of illegal
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  drugs, including the misuse of hydromorphone under the guise of safer supply.
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  The ministry welcomes any actions that aim to curb the predatory prescribing of addictive
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  drugs.
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  Despite the support from some quarters, the proposed changes have sparked concern among
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  harm reduction advocates.
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  Lorraine Lam, an organizer with the Shelter and Housing Justice Network, expressed fears that
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  these changes could destabilize the lives of those who rely on safer supply.
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  Many individuals using safer supply have managed to secure employment or return to
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  education, and there is anxiety about the impact of being cut off from these
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  prescriptions.
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  Lam warns that the abrupt discontinuation of safer supply could lead to a resurgence of
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  individuals turning to the unregulated and dangerous street drug supply, increasing the
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  risk of overdoses and deaths.
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  The college's board of directors is expected to meet on October thirteenth to vote on the
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  proposed changes.
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  This decision will be closely watched by both healthcare professionals and those involved in
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  harm reduction efforts, as it could significantly shape the future of opioid crisis
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  management in Ontario.
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  As always, we'll be keeping a close eye on this developing situation and will provide updates
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  as they become available.
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  In Alberta, members of the Alberta Medical Association have voted to ratify a proposed
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  three-year master pay agreement with the provincial government.
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  This significant development marks a step towards stability for physicians in the
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  province, following a period of intense negotiations and mediation.
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  The details of the agreement are yet to be disclosed, but both the government and the
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  association have promised to share more information once the agreement is finalized.
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  Dr.
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  Heidi Fell, the president of the Alberta Medical Association, announced that 22 percent
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  of eligible members participated in the vote, with a substantial 76 percent of those voters
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  supporting the agreement.
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  Despite not being the initial deal the association had hoped for, Dr.
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  Fell noted that the agreement provides a crucial framework for the next three years,
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  offering some meaningful gains for doctors.
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  She acknowledged the challenging and constrained bargaining environment in which the
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  deal was reached.
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  The agreement is expected to increase spending on doctors by 22 percent, even as Alberta faces
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  a looming deficit budget.
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  Hospitals Minister Adriana LaGrange has emphasized that the deal offers fair and
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  competitive compensation for physicians while ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare
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  system.
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  This balance is crucial as the province navigates financial constraints and strives to
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  maintain quality healthcare services.
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  This development comes at a time when Alberta's healthcare system is under scrutiny, with
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  ongoing discussions about dual-practice models and the impact of violence against healthcare
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  workers.
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  The successful ratification of this pay deal may provide a sense of stability and support
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  for physicians amid these challenges, enabling them to focus on delivering care to their
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  patients.
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  As we conclude today's episode, it's clear that healthcare systems worldwide are continually
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  adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
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  Whether it's addressing potential outbreaks, advancing immunization efforts, or negotiating
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  fair compensation for healthcare professionals, these developments highlight the dynamic nature
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  of the medical field.
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  We'll continue to keep you informed on these important topics.
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  Thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with Dr.
• 11:53
  Chow.
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  Stay healthy and informed, and I'll see you next time.