By Sam Bennison

Health

“I will go blind,” Lack of doctors in Prince George could cost a man his vision

Mar 21, 2024 | 5:08 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— Bill Henry was diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD)in 2019. wAMD is a chronic condition that causes blurred vision due to damage affecting the light sensitive tissue in the back of Bill’s eyes. To prevent the degeneration Bill receives an injection of Avastin into the eye which for him has been free but that price is at risk.

The only specialist in Prince George withdrew from the Provincial Retinal Disease Program, effective March 31,2024, citing an alleged 32% reduction in compensation to retinal specialists participating in the program. Now Bill is stuck either having to pay for the medication or find a new doctor which Bill says is equally unfeasable as the closest doctors are in Fort St. John and Kamloops.

“I’m already almost maxed out on what I can afford each month medically,” Bill told CKPG in reaction to the news. “I would have to find a way to go to Kamloops. I can’t drive 6 hours down there and accommodation and then drive back. So, it becomes more and more financially unfeasible for me.”

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The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) affirms its committment to ensuring the program stays affordable for Bill and the 25,000 other patients who require the program.

In a statement the PHSA told CKPG that: “While discussions about the program delivery continue, certain key aspects will not change: Care for these patients will continue and second, the program will continue to offer the same drug coverage to patients for specialists to access on their behalf.”

For now, Bill waits for his next appointment but the question remains, will he get the help he needs before his eyesight fails him?

“I will go blind,” emphasizes Bill. “I don’t know how long it’ll take. It could be quick, it could be a drawn out thing, but the cloudiness will come back.”

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com