The Northern Health Region has issued a press release following a release from KIM or Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin declaring a state of emergency on health care services in the north.

The release states:

“The Northern Health Region looks forward to continuing to partner with MKO and KIM. To date this has included:
• Moving forward on our joint statement to end anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare
• Our ongoing, joint KIM/NRHA co-planning process on sustainable healthcare delivery in the region
 

Regional activities have included:
• Creation of a Wisdom Council;
• The addition of Elders as part of the NRHA Care Team
• The addition of a social worker to Thompson General Hospital focused on supporting Indigenous patients in the Emergency Department,
• Ensuring Spiritual Care includes greater access to Indigenous ceremonies like smudging,
• Expanded cultural training which includes First Nations inspired land-based education for staff and our Board of Directors.
 

We understand, and we all want these solutions implemented without delay but it will take work and time to solve these very complex, multifaceted issues. We are committed to working with all of our partners, especially our Indigenous communities and leadership to find and implement sustainable solutions that meet the health needs of the people we serve in support of our vision of healthy people, healthy north.”