Read the latest on managing patients with MASLD, what is and isn’t included on the new heath cards and changes to adult tetanus boosters. 

Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Primary Care

This past year, Shared Health has announced guidelines for Primary Care Providers when it comes to managing patients with Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) (formally Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD)

MDASLD affects nearly 25% of the population, most of these cases can be well cared for in primary care settings. 

Specialist consultation is often not needed for the clinical management for MASLD, particularly in the absence of evidence of advanced fibrosis. The following material can help longitudinal care physicians manage and identify issues that require further consultation by a hepatologist. Waitlists for consults to Hepatology are currently lengthy (e.g. 12+ months). 

Caring for patients under a primary care setting provides valuable monitoring of their condition, while also improving appropriate access to specialist care for the subset of MASLD patients that require it.

The guideline and memo can be found here.

New Health Cards, Less Information

Patients are starting to receive the new plastic Manitoba Health cards, and doctors are already noticing some differences. Over 200,000 have already been requested.

In addition to sturdier material, the health cards contain different information than the previous paper cards:

• Missing: The patient sex/​gender and address has been removed. Addresses were removed from driver’s licenses years ago too. 

• New: a language indicator will indicate whether the patient prefers English or French. 

• Unchanged: Patient name, date of birth, PHIN and registration numbers.

The new health cards also include a QR code on the back. At this point, it doesn’t serve a function, but Manitoba Health says they have plans to roll out a process to speed up registration at hospitals and clinics using the QR code. 

Manitobans can apply for a new plastic health card here.

How does the missing information impact your office? Please contact us if you are concerned at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Adult Tetanus Booster Immunization Program Update

Effective April 1, 2025, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care is updating the vaccine

used for the adult tetanus booster immunization program. The vaccine currently offered, Tetanus, diphtheria (Td Adsorbed) is being replaced with Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Adacel®, Boostrix®)

The eligibility criteria for Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) will be updated to include adults who are due for a tetanus booster (recommended every 10

years).

The change from Td to Tdap aims to protect adults from pertussis (whooping cough) and subsequently reduce risk of transmission to infants who are at highest risk of severe respiratory

disease, while maintaining protection against tetanus and diphtheria.

More information about eligibility can be found here.