2023-07-29 05:06:20
Health centers in several villages in Nunavik have been closed to all non-emergency cases since mid-July, when the region is grappling with a record outbreak of tuberculosis.
A severe labor shortage prevents the local health system, already extremely fragile in normal times, from operating as usual. A situation that can promote the spread of the disease, by the admission of the authorities.
“Due to a lack of employees, CLSCs/dispensaries on the Hudson Bay coast will be closed this week. No consultation will be offered and only emergencies will be accepted,” the local health network posted on social media on July 17. “Stay safe. Don’t take unnecessary risks. »
Last Monday, the organization announced that three clinics could reopen, but four others would remain closed.
The 14 Inuit villages of Nunavik are isolated from each other and are only accessible by plane. Each village has its dispensary.
The region is currently battling a major outbreak of tuberculosis, a severe lung disease normally associated with the Third World. It can be fatal if not treated quickly. Lack of housing in Nunavik forces the Inuit to live on top of each other, allowing tuberculosis to thrive in the area.
At least 61 people have been diagnosed with tuberculosis since the beginning of the year and 5 villages are considered to be “in outbreak”. If the trend continues, 2023 will mark a new recent record for the spread of the disease.
A brake on interventions
Closing the dispensaries risks hampering efforts to fight the current outbreak, according to the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services.
“Follow-ups of cases and contacts are maintained, but delays in investigations and the capacity to carry out the work are observed,” the organization said in an unsigned email.
“The lack of resources [est] a brake on the intensive deployment of interventions aimed at limiting the spread of tuberculosis, such as screening or the deepening of investigations, ”we can read. “Personnel issues represent an omnipresent constraint in the fight against tuberculosis in Nunavik, with which to deal. »
Health authorities on the Hudson Bay coast have also introduced “exceptional measures” to attract staff for the summer. The nursing staff “who offer additional availability […] receives [une somme] lump sum of $1,000 per two-week period”, in addition to a 15% bonus. The previous week, it was announced “enhanced northern premiums: approximately $1,000/week”.
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