Dr. Mehdi Aloosh,
MD, MSC, CCFP, FPRC
Medical Officer of Health
Throughout 2023, the dedicated team at the WECHU has continued to serve the Windsor and Essex community through a range of impactful public health programs and services. Amidst our ongoing efforts, we have maintained a delicate balance between addressing the risks posed by infectious diseases, particularly respiratory illnesses, and fulfilling our essential duties.
An important milestone was the establishment of WECHU as the lead agency for the local infection prevention and control (IPAC) hub. Through collaborative efforts with community partners, we have provided crucial support to congregate living settings through comprehensive IPAC assessments, education initiatives, and effective outbreak management. Concurrently, our Infectious Disease Prevention department has diligently facilitated outbreak responses.
On a national scale, we saw the rollout of two new vaccines – an updated COVID-19 booster and a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Vaccines remain the cornerstone in our collective efforts to prevent infectious diseases, safeguard individual health, and mitigate disease transmission within our community. We are committed to providing the routine immunizations mandated by the Immunization of School Pupils Act, championed by our Healthy Schools department. This work has made remarkable progress in ensuring children are immunized. It also mitigates vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in schools, thereby safeguarding both students and the wider community.
Addressing the rising rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a public health priority. Locally, provincially, and nationally, we have observed a surge in syphilis rates. In response, our team at the WECHU executed a multifaceted approach to this issue, including a publicly facing campaign to minimize stigma associated with STIs and a closer collaboration with health partners emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in combating STIs, among many others.
I would like to express my gratitude to the frontline staff and management team at WECHU for their diligent work supporting the health of our community. I am also thankful for the support, guidance, and commitment provided by the Board of Health throughout the year. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a healthy future for the residents of Windsor and Essex County.