Long-distance health care part of the rural way of life

For many, closest doctor, pharmacy are 30 mins. away

When Mary Fetterly needs a doctor or a pharmacist she has to call a relative first.

Fetterly, who lives in Headingley, is a senior citizen who can no longer drive. There isn’t a pharmacy in Headingley, nor is there a doctor, and she is forced to go into Winnipeg for those services.

Her family takes her into the city, but “it’s difficult when the kids are busy,” she said.

Many seniors living in rural areas face the same problem.

If they can no longer drive, they must wait for their families or friends to take them to the nearest doctor or pharmacy, which is not always convenient.

Even for those who drive, the journey is still an inconvenience. Given the price of gas and winter road conditions, it’s not very appealing for people to have to drive into Winnipeg, Carman or Portage la Prairie.

Three years ago, Ayman Samuel decided people in rural Manitoba needed more options, so he opened a pharmacy in Elie.

Samuel serves people in the R.M. of Cartier. There is only one part-time doctor at the clinic in Elie to serve the 3,100 people in that area.

“(They) deserve more health care than that,” said Samuel.

Half of Samuel’s customers don’t have a family doctor and, before he opened the pharmacy, most had to drive at least a half-hour to get their prescriptions.

Samuel worked closely with the R.M. to find a solution, and decided he would offer free prescription delivery so people don’t have to leave their communities.

Now Samuel knows most of his customers by name.

“I don’t practise the traditional way. I take a personal approach,” said Samuel. “This is very important, especially for seniors. It’s what I believe in.”

One problem with some busy pharmacies is that they don’t take the time to explain medications, he said.

“It’s unfortunate that seniors have no one there to take care of them,” he said.

Samuel delivers prescriptions himself, and takes the time to explain how to take them.

So far, his home delivery has been a success. Many people in the R.M. of Cartier take advantage of the service.

Samuel is working with Leanne Wilson, resource co-ordinator for Macdonald Services to Seniors, to expand that service to the R.M. of Macdonald.

“Perhaps if the seniors could get their prescriptions delivered, they would not need to travel to Winnipeg as often,” said Wilson, “and this would perhaps trickle down to local businesses, whereby they could gain because of increased spending by the seniors within the community.”

For more information call Elie Pharmacy at (204) 353-2339.