Phlutteringphalanges

I grew up in a Toronto suburb but moved to Labrador in my mid-twenties. What surprised me is that it was like a whole different Canada. It also surprised me how blind many Canadians are to what goes on inside their own country. My mind was blown.

To be honest, I think what surprised me most was the rate of tuberculosis among the Inuit population. I don't live in Labrador anymore but when I discuss TB with my co-workers they're always shocked to learn that it's a serious health concern for certain groups in their own country.

Were you ever surprised to learn that TB isn't as big as issue for other populations in Canada as it is for the Inuit? I'm sorry if that's presumptuous.

Your website has a youtube video embedded. The video talks about a company called OpenBiome.... which is not you guys.

I agree that the potential benefits of the procedure would be the same regardless of the company providing the fecal matter but don't you feel having this video embedded on the landing page of your website is a bit misleading for potential recipients?

The video features a lengthy discussion of the lengthy screening procedures for donors. The video also features physicians. You have mentioned in your AMA how you have no physicians or qualified healthcare providers in your group. How can you ensure the safety of anyone involved in this? Who is monitoring the health of your recipients? How do you know the depth of tests needed to safely and thoroughly screen donors? Once again, if none of you are healthcare providers how are you qualified to make some of these decisions?

Interestingly, you also point out that you're a contact platform only, is this your way of circumventing laws and regulations that are in place to prevent unlicensed individuals from trading biohazardous materials/medical treatments?

Finally, your website mentions

You will be required to do some blood and stool tests (at recipient’s expense if you have no free healthcare in your country)

You're encouraging people to ship their poop between countries? Is that actually legal? I can't bring meat or plants through customs. I need to fill out paperwork to bring animals and human remains around. I realize that people bring their poop with them when they travel can feces be legally sent through international mail (without medical/special paperwork)?

I have a few questions:

1. What's your scope of practice like on board? Is it comparable to the scope you have in Canada? I have a lot of physician coworkers from South Africa who say the scope of nurses there is a lot more restricted.

2. When I look at open nursing positions on their website it says that they prefer a minimum commitment of two years. How have you been getting shorter contracts? Do they make much of a push for longer ones or are they happy with the time you can give?

3. Mercy Ship's website says they're a faith-based charity. How does this affect the care these ships provide? Does their care have religious undertones? I'm not sure how to phrase this nicely but do they force Christianity on their staff or patients?