Manitoba Travel Health Network

In 1998 Manitoba Health made a decision to direct dollars to supporting the development of a Manitoba Travel Health Network. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Travel Health Clinic was recognized as the leader in these services in Manitoba and so Manitoba Health contracted with the WRHA to develop and establish the Manitoba Travel Health Network.

The main goal of the Manitoba Travel Health Network is to develop a plan to address the need for provincial standards of practice in order to provide consistent, competent and comprehensive travel health services to Manitobans, as well as to continue to support Manitoba practitioners in the maintenance of these provincial guidelines for travel health services.

Formal linkages have been made with health care providers from across the province, encompassing all RHA’s as well as private clinics. The sharing of travel health information by means of organizing an annual Manitoba Travel Health Conference, where internationally renowned speakers are invited to present on various travel medicine topics of interest is a main function of the network.  The development, and regular maintenance of an on-line Travel Health Manual for Health Professionals, with best practice guidelines is another way that the network is addressing the need for consistent travel health information.  Health care providers also have access to an Information Line for Health Professionals needing to inquire about specific travel itineraries of their clients.

In working collaboratively, these goals are being successfully achieved.  This year, there are 26 individual health care providers from within the province who are enrolled in a provincial ISTM Study Group, organized by the network, to prepare and write the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) exam, in the spring of 2007.  By passing, this will offer each individual an internationally recognized Certificate in Travel Health.  The Manitoba Travel Health Network is very proud of its accomplishments!