A First Nation in northern Manitoba is declaring a state of emergency because its residents – including infants, elders and people with chronic health conditions – are going without basic health care.
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation leaders say a nursing shortage means the community’s nursing station has been open only for medical emergencies since last year.
“This is unacceptable,” said Chief Angela Levasseur. “Not only is it unacceptable, but our people are suffering as a result.”
The community of 3,500 members has just two nurses and one paramedic – often working around the clock for days on end.
Many residents are forced to drive an hour to Thompson, Man., to seek basic medical care like bloodwork or medication refills.
“This is a serious issue,” Levasseur said. “Not only that, but it’s inhumane that in our land we are seen as second-class citizens and that our right to health care is being denied.”
RELATED: Patients going without care due to nursing shortage in Manitoba First Nation
Government data shows nursing stations in remote First Nations communities in Manitoba were facing a 67 per cent operational vacancy in the last fiscal year.
“Yes, it has been a difficult time,” said Lynda Wright, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation’s director of health. “The community, the people, our elders, and our infants are suffering because of the lack of health-care services in our community.”
Wage gap, inadequate funding
Leaders say part of the problem is the wage gap between what the federal government offers nurses and what private agencies provide.
“As an RN (registered nurse), you’re getting, if you’re lucky, $45 an hour,” said Jessie Horodecki, the executive director of the Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home. “If you’re an RN in an agency, you’re getting $60 an hour. These are big differences. These are differences no community can keep up with.”
“That system has to change,” added Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. “We cannot continue to live like this. Our people do not deserve this at all. This is not their doing. It is the doing of governments and bureaucracies that don’t care about our people.”
Chief Levasseur says insufficient and inadequate funding and support is also to blame for the current situation. She is calling on the federal government to provide funding for an additional three nurses for the First Nation.
“Our people matter,” she said. “Our people have the right to be seen by a nurse or a doctor, and yet, it’s not happening.”
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is roughly 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
–With files from The Canadian Press