MUHC in the Media - April 20, 2026

Lack of access to primary care is sometimes cited as one of the causes of emergency overcrowding. Dr. Matthew Donlan, pediatrician at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, decided to tackle the problem head on and find community doctors for follow-ups after hospitalization for all children cared for at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). CBC

Dr. Lucie Côté, a veterinarian and director of the Animal Resources Division at  The Institute, and Dr. Lorenzo Ferri, a thoracic surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital and a scientist at The Institute, both appeared in a segment on the science program Découverte about the use of animals in biomedical research. This type of research remains essential to the advancement of science and the development of new treatments, despite promising advances in other methodological approaches, such as organs-on-a-chip, with which Dr. Ferri works. At The Institute, animal research is conducted only when no suitable alternative exists, and in accordance with the highest standards of care and welfare. All animal-based research is reviewed and approved through rigorous institutional oversight and complies fully with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Web article, TV segment (Radio-Canada)

The patent on the active ingredient in weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy expired in Canada last January, which will inevitably make these medications more accessible to many Canadians, but this comes with consequences. “Embracing GLP-1s as a solution for obesity may subvert the effort to address its root causes,” warns Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, an internist at the MUHC and senior scientist at The Institute. Maclean’s

Treatments to help babies who run out of oxygen during pregnancy or at birth are limited. A clinical study conducted by Dr. Pia Wintermark, a neonatologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and scientist with the Child Health and Human Development Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, shows that the administration of sildenafil, marketed under the brand name Viagra, could be a possible solution. Be Giant

Water fluoridation does not lower the IQ of those who consume it, concludes a new American study. It is not a factor considered when assessing children’s development, notes Renée St-Pierre, a psychologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH). Furthermore, another study showed that more young people developed cavities in Calgary after water fluoridation was discontinued, says Dr. Edwin Chan, a dentist at the MCH. La Presse

A survey shows that the rate of cannabis use in Quebec is slowly declining overall, though it increased among 21- to 34-year-olds, rising from 29 percent in 2018, just before legalization, to 38 percent in 2021. Carolyn Baglole, a scientist at The Institute, discusses the factors that may be contributing to these trends and the importance of education. Global News

Dr. Gabriella Gobbi, a psychiatrist and a scientist at The Institute, commented on a major international study led by researchers at McGill University and Mila that suggests psychedelic drugs could become more widely used in treating mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Global News

Dr. Dunya Moghul, a fellow in pediatric surgery at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH), will soon work aboard Mercy Ships, hospital ships dedicated to improving access to healthcare in African countries. LanauWeb

While the risks associated with microplastics may be a concern for users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, there appears to be no conclusive evidence that they cause health problems. However, treating sleep apnea in this way reduces the severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Dr. John Kimoff, a sleep disorder specialist at The Institute. La Presse

Photo: C.É.Burdet

A study recently published in CMAJ and led by a majority Inuit and First Nations research team at The Institute and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services continues to make headlines. Co-led by Dr. Faiz Ahmad Khan, the study highlights the experiences and perspectives of Inuit communities affected by the current tuberculosis crisis and calls for effective resources to drive a shift toward Inuit-led, supportive care that is better aligned with the needs and realities of communities. Press progress, APTN