Manitoba First Nation says members without health care due to nursing shortage

  • Canadian Press

Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias, left to right, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur, NCN Health Director Lynda Wright and Executive Director of the Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home Jessie Horodecki take part in a press conference in Winnipeg on Monday, July 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brittany Hobson

WINNIPEG -- A First Nation in northern Manitoba says many of its residents, including infants, elders and people with chronic health conditions, are going without basic health care because of a nursing shortage in the community.

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation's nursing station has been open only for medical emergencies since last year because the community has just two nurses to service its 3,500 citizens.

Chief Angela Levasseur says members are forced to travel outside the community to get basic care like bloodwork or medication refills.

She is calling on the federal government to provide funding for an additional three nurses for the nation.

Government data shows that nursing stations in remote First Nations communities in Manitoba were facing a 67 per cent operational vacancy in the last fiscal year.

Levasseur says the federal government needs to address the wage gap between what it offers nurses and what private agencies provide.

This report by was first published July 22, 2024.