The Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough (HKNP) Board of Health met Thursday to discuss merger updates, public health preparedness, and new initiatives.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott provided an update on the organization’s ongoing merger efforts. He confirmed that a new organizational name and brand identity will launch later this year, with continued engagement from Indigenous partners such as the Indigenous Health Advisory Circle and Alderville First Nation.
Piggott also addressed measles preparedness, noting that while no cases have been reported locally, Ontario currently has 350 cases across 11 health units. He stressed that 96 per cent of those infected were either unvaccinated or had only one vaccine dose. The Health Unit is actively monitoring schools, raising public awareness, and preparing for contact tracing if needed.
The board also heard that a youth substance use prevention pilot project, originally launched in Peterborough under the Planet Youth Icelandic Prevention Model, is expanding to cover the broader HKNP region.
In addition, the board approved new policies, including an Exit Interviews for Vacating Board Members procedure and a Provincial Appointments Policy.
The next Board of Health meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2025, at 5 p.m. in Lindsay.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)