New Health and Phys. Ed Curriculum

The Manitoba government is introducing a two-year pilot program that makes in-person physical education mandatory for all students from kindergarten to Grade 12 and adds basic cooking skills to junior high and high school curricula to ensure every student knows how to prepare healthy, affordable meals. 

Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, helped develop the new health curriculum. 

• Doctors Manitoba’s direct public resources at Get​tingHealthy​.ca reinforce the same concepts. 
• “Manitoba’s doctors support more physical activity and health education for students at all levels, especially as we see more and more young people spending more time on their screens and less time being active,” said Dr. Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba. 

Read more about the changes.

Social Media and Youth

More countries are taking action to protect youth from the addictive and risky aspects of social media, and Doctors Manitoba hopes to see Canada formalize its plan quickly. New Zealand is introducing a ban on social media for children under age 16. This follows a similar law in Australia, with several other countries considering restrictions too. 

In the U.S., nearly all states sued Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook. A multi-billion-dollar settlement was announced this week aimed at protecting children from the mental health harms associated with social media. 

Learn more.

Enhancements Coming to eConsult

Manitoba’s eConsult services are being modernized, with a planned launch next month. The current Store and Forward and BASE eConsult services will be consolidated into a single platform, eConsultCX, accessible through an upgraded, cloud-based iScheduler system. This means all eConsulting physicians will be located on a single platform. More details on training and the transition will follow in the coming months. Learn more on the MBTelehealth eConsult page.

What you think about these changes? Let us know by emailing us at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Bicillin® L‑A Shortage Extended

The Bicillin® L‑A shortage has been extended to an estimated end date of February 26, 2027. Manitoba has secured an alternative, Lentocilin™ 1200, which can now be used for all patients requiring syphilis treatment with benzathine penicillin G. Questions? Email STBBI@​gov.​mb.​ca

📄 Read the full memo for ordering details, reconstitution guidance, and reporting requirements.

Drug Shortage Reversal

WRHA advises that ketorolac 0.5% Eye Drops and ketorolac 0.45% eye drop Minim/0.4 mL are now freely available. If you have any questions, please contact your site pharmacy manager or the drug shortages information phone line at: (204) 787‑1097.

Mobile MRI Arrives in The Pas

Manitoba’s Mobile MRI is now stationed at St. Anthony’s General Hospital. Since launching initial operations last June in Thompson, the mobile unit has completed more than 3,000 diagnostic scans. Moving forward, the mobile MRI will travel between the two communities, further strengthening northern health-care delivery.

Read the announcement.

Your Feedback is Requested

• Learning Needs Assessment: Shared Health Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Mental Health and Addictions, in partnership with University of Manitoba, is conducting an assessment of the learning needs and interests among front-line healthcare providers across Manitoba. Take the survey by September 11.
• EI Caregiving Benefits Form: The evaluation team at Employment and Social Development Canada is conducting an evaluation of the Employment Insurance (EI) Caregiving benefits and is seeking your insight on how the form process may be improved. The survey will remain open until October 2026.