MUHC in the Media - October 26, 2026

This week, the MCH celebrated the 35th anniversary of its ECMO program. The MCH was the first hospital in Quebec to offer ECMO, beginning in 1991. ECMO stands for “extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.” It is an advanced life-support treatment that temporarily takes over, in part or in full, the functions of the heart and/or lungs when they are too weak to function properly. Over the past 35 years, ECMO has saved the lives of more than 100 children at the MCH. Interview with Dr. Josh Feder, a pediatric cardiac intensivist and medical director of the ECMO program at the MCH. City News

As research advances, new cancer drugs become available. However, their sometimes extremely high cost can make them inaccessible to patients. Dr. Ramy Saleh, a medical oncologist at the MUHC, discussed how this situation affects patients. Reportage de CBC, article de CBC

The Quebec government has announced that it is expanding coverage for smoking cessation medications under by the public drug insurance plan.⁠ Dr. Sean Gilman, director of the Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence Treatment Program at the MUHC, commented on the news. La Presse

According to infectious disease specialists, the flu season in Canada began about seven weeks earlier than usual this year. Vaccination remains a good way to protect against infection and reduce the risk of serious complications. Interview with Dr. Jesse Papenburg, pediatrician, infectious disease specialist, and microbiologist at the MUHC. Global News

Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a senior scientist at The Institute, commented on a new study led by McMaster University researchers that suggests that weight gain during pregnancy is associated with higher risk of developing life-threatening complications. CTV News