Shawbonquit: Health-care system failing many Sudburians

The story of 54-year-old Sudbury woman who's on a waiting list for crucial medical equipment illustrates how the province's health-care system is failing citizens, said NDP byelection candidate Suzanne Shawbonquit.

Susan Malette had part of her left leg amputated in September after a bout with osteomyelitis. She's also had several smaller surgeries on the leg since. But the wound isn't healing well.

Since last month, she's been on a Community Care Access Centre waiting list for a vacuum pump to remove fluids from the wound.

Malette, who's currently on leave from her job at the Taxation Data Centre, said she's currently 20th on the waiting list for the medical equipment, which would help her wound heal faster.

Because the slow healing process has prevented her from being fitted with a prosthetic leg, she's been putting a lot of pressure on her remaining leg, which has now developed worrisome sores.

Malette said she fears she'll soon lose her remaining leg, too.

“I'm just finding it hard because of not getting healed and having to depend on my family so much,” she said.

Shawbonquit, who said she met Malette when she asked her to put up an election sign at her home, said the woman's story shows that the health-care system is broken.

She pointed to a Dec. 9 letter from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario to the province's health minister, requesting an urgent meeting to ensure progress on Ontario's diabetes strategy, with emphasis on preventing amputations.

“Here's another example of a Sudbury citizen that is struggling, and the health-care system is putting her at risk,” she said, speaking at a Jan. 27 press conference held at Malette's home.

“These are the impacts of all the funding cuts and the lack of resources that we need in our city. This is an example of it, and an extreme example. There's many stories like this.”