Unnecessary chaos caused in two First Nations by Health Canada memo, leader says
OTTAWA — First Nations leaders expressed dismay Thursday that two communities in northern Ontario were given less than a week’s notice from Health Canada that their federally run nursing stations would be temporarily closed.
Keewaywin First Nation and Nibinamik First Nation were told in a memo dated Tuesday that the federal department was planning to put a temporary alternative medical plan in place by the end of this week.
Health Canada has since confirmed that the planned closures, originally scheduled for today and Friday, have been averted.
The government memo, dated Aug. 23, suggested the communities would have to access telemedicine — treatment and diagnosis remotely, either over the phone or via video link — at a nursing station in another community.