Sask. doctor says newborns are dying from syphilis, calls for better access to prenatal care

WATCH: A Saskatoon doctor is sounding the alarm over a surge in syphilis cases among newborns.

A Saskatoon doctor is sounding the alarm over a surge in syphilis cases among newborns.

Dr. Anna Donovan stepped up to the mic at Friday’s Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) assembly during a question period with the health minister.

“We have had our NICUs overwhelmed by patients who need treatment for congenital syphilis, and dealt with several patients that have passed from this disease,” Donovan said.

Congenital syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection passed from mothers to babies.

Syphilis can be prevented and treated, but Donovan said women in remote and rural Saskatchewan aren’t getting the care they need.

“We often get patients who have had no prenatal care, who could have been treated and not had a ten-day NICU stay. One day in NICU is worth $14,000,” Donovan said.

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Donovan called for stronger contact-tracing to curb the spread of syphilis and improved access to prenatal care.

She asked Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill how the government is addressing the issue. Her question was met with an applause from the SMA crowd.

“I am aware of the challenges around syphilis in our communities,” Cockrill, who represents the Battlefords, responded.

“Every week I drive home and I drive by the syphilis billboard coming into my community. And I’d so badly, one day, love to take that billboard down.”

Cockrill said the government is working with community health partners to address the issue. Cockrill said he often meets with the provincial head of paediatrics about how to improve prenatal care across Saskatchewan.

“Know that there’s active discussions on how we’re going to improve prenatal care and start to address some of the root causes of what we’re seeing,” Cockrill said.