Sufferers at a Longueuil clinic should pay for masks

A gynecology and obstetrics clinic in Longueuil fees $1 for masks to sufferers within the public community who’ve forgotten it, a measure denounced by many.

“It is a bit ridiculous, earlier than it was free,” reacts anonymously a lady crossed on the Pierre-Boucher gynecology and obstetrics clinic in Longueuil.

“It is bizarre, additionally believes one other affected person who needed to return to her automotive to get her masks whereas carrying her child. Fortunate I had one. »

Finish of free

Since July, this personal clinic has been charging sufferers who’ve forgotten their process masks, a instrument nonetheless imposed by Public Well being to restrict the unfold of COVID-19.

In accordance with ladies interviewed by The newspapersufferers should pay in money, and do not need a receipt.

” That is low cost and it is surprising! reacts Bryn Williams-Jones, director of the College of Public Well being on the College of Montreal. It’s their obligation to make sure a secure place of remedy for everybody. […] The free masks sends a transparent message that it is helpful. »

For the reason that begin of the pandemic, masks have been supplied freed from cost to the clinic (and due to this fact to sufferers) by the Montérégie-Est Built-in Well being and Social Companies Heart (CISSS).

Nevertheless, the CISSSs are not required to produce personal institutions because the lifting of the state of emergency. Thus, since July, the clinic has been charging sufferers, confirmed supervisor Julie Gosselin.

Observe that even when the clinic is personal, ladies don’t pay for his or her examinations or being pregnant follow-ups, that are supplied by the general public community.

Right here, The newspaper failed to talk to one of many medical doctors to grasp the choice. Mr. Williams-Jones had by no means heard of one other such case.

“It is a logic that reinforces an elitist imaginative and prescient of medication. It sends the message that they’re simply within the cash,” he believes.

Not very costly

An internet search reveals that the unit price of a masks ranges between 10¢ and 20¢. The professor can be satisfied that the masks will proceed to be distributed freed from cost in society.

Sufferers met on the clinic complained that they weren’t knowledgeable of the value. Administration responds that ladies are warned over the telephone to put on a masks.

For its half, the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec responded in writing that entry to masks ought to be “facilitated” particularly amongst susceptible clienteles.

The School of Physicians of Quebec additionally believes that the masks ought to be free. In accordance with the Division of Well being and Human Companies, this price is authorized.