Author

Brishti Basu

Brishti Basu is a reporter based in Victoria. She speaks English, Bengali, and Hindi. She is a generalist that primarily covers social issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as issues relevant to Victoria and Vancouver Island. Basu began her career in journalism as a reporter with Victoria Buzz in 2017, and has been published in places like VICE, The Tyee, National Geographic, BBC Future, and more. Her work so far covers a wide range of topics, from systematic racism to climate change, marine mammal welfare to culinary nomenclature, and beyond.

Healthcare

North Vancouver Island hospitals close overnight indefinitely

By Brishti Basu
Jan 27, 2023

Island healthcare workers need to be respected, said Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh

Mental Health

Victoria’s own ‘Car 87:’ New team of police and psychiatric nurse to answer mental health calls

By Brishti Basu
Jan 25, 2023

More details about the program, first launched in Vancouver, will be announced next week

Health

One month after outbreak, Island Health reports another case of rare bacterial infection

By Brishti Basu
Jan 23, 2023

A frontline worker said illnesses amongst homeless people are hard to detect due to stigma preventing them from accessing care

Healthcare

‘Significantly over capacity’: Island hospitals overwhelmed amid silence and data gaps

By Brishti Basu
Jan 16, 2023

Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are filling hospital beds, while surgeries are being postponed to make room

Health

BC incentives to recruit foreign and retired nurses welcome news amid crisis

By Brishti Basu
Jan 10, 2023

“Mostly because of the staffing issues, there's more being put on each nurse’s shoulders, with less resources available to support them,” said one Island Health nurse

Drugs

More Victorians are getting their drugs checked before using

By Brishti Basu
Jan 9, 2023

The Island’s drug checking project tested 400% more samples over the holidays compared to last year