VICTORIA – The provincial government is providing nicotine patches and gum to British Columbians on income assistance who want to “butt out” through a $1.27-million pilot program called Quit Smoking Now!, Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond announced.

VANCOUVER – The School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program will expand to include a total of 50 schools, Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg announced today. Hogg also announced that the Fridges in Schools Program has reached a milestone, with over 70 fridges delivered to date.

VICTORIA – Eleven conversation starters, on topics ranging from the Canada Health Act to end-of-life care, were posted today to the Conversation on Health website.

PRINCE GEORGE – Premier Gordon Campbell joined local government leaders, community donors and health-care professionals to officially open the new pediatric ward at Prince George Regional Hospital. The new unit will provide improved family-centered care to seriously ill children in the community and region.

VICTORIA – As a result of international research, commencing Jan. 1, 2007 the recommended number of injections protecting B.C. children against pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, is being reduced to three doses from four.

VICTORIA – The first two of 16 regional Conversation on Health forums will kick off in Kamloops and Surrey in February 2007, announced Health Minister George Abbott, as the provincial government released information on all the regional public forum dates.

VICTORIA – Patient care and safety will be improved by making medication histories available to all authorized health professionals in hospitals and designated mental health facilities through access to PharmaNet, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

VICTORIA – According to 2006 estimates in the Canadian Cancer Statistics report, British Columbia men and women have the lowest mortality rates in Canada.

VICTORIA – The BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is among the leading emergency medical service agencies in Canada to adopt and provide its paramedics with training on the new cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation guidelines.

VANCOUVER – Health Minister George Abbott today officially opened two new radiation therapy vaults at the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.

KAMLOOPS – Premier Gordon Campbell officially marked the completion of a $27.5-million renovation project that will help provide Thompson Cariboo Shuswap patients with better, more timely care at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH).

VANCOUVER – Influenza immunization clinics open today at public health offices throughout the province, providing free vaccinations to eligible British Columbians in higher risk groups, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

VICTORIA – November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg and the Canadian Diabetes Association are reminding British Columbians today of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercising daily to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.