The doctors treating the skin conditions in Kashechewan are saying the crisis goes much deeper.A team of three doctors recently visited the community of Kashechewan to treat skin conditions seen on children throughout the community.  Lead doctor, Dr. Gordon Green says the visit took more than just one day and wasn’t limited to speaking to patients.

“We did surveys of the homes and residents asking how many people lived in the house? How many bedrooms? Was there a washer and dryer, hot water?  We saw a little overcrowding and air quality but for the most part it wasn’t too bad.”

“From a skin perspective we saw common things like eczema. We saw other skin conditions like psoriasis, one small case of impetigo, one family that had scabies.  We didn’t see the alarming skin conditions we’re all expose to by the media.”

In all, the doctors treated 52 cases, 35 of which were eczema.  Other ailments included contact dermatitis, molluscum contagiosum, bacterial folliculitis, and venous stasis dermatitis. Two of the children seen needed intensive medical attention but Green says there is no dermatologic crisis in Kashechewan.  He says it runs far deeper.

“The health care provided here is not adequate and needs to be expanded.  I would call it a medical emergency and in these communities we could call it a social emergency.”

In a perfect world, Green says the communities along the James Bay coast would need a consistent medical team with little turnover, and lower chronic health numbers. Type 2 diabetes numbers are high and Green says the level of care needed isn’t there.

“We’re going to see more strokes, more blindness, more heart attacks, and amputations.  These numbers are already increasing and primary prevention is so important but we’re going to see a lot more sick people requiring acute services.”

Green also pointed to more psychiatrists to work with anyone with mental health issues.  He says psychiatrists to go up but not consistently.  Green is also pointing to housing and education as major factors to help the residents.

“Issues related to community confidence in the water quality, adequate housing, overcrowding, indoor air quality, income and food insecurity, and support for those pursuing careers that will contribute to the growth of Kashechewan need to be promptly addressed.”