Provincial politicians unanimously support calls for government to provide services in Nunavik
Currently, CT scans are not available in Nunavik, and patients must travel south to receive them. This image shows his CT scan during operations at Iqaluit. (Photo courtesy of Peter Varga)
Cedric Gallant – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An opposition motion calling for the installation of CT scanners in Nunavik received unanimous support in Quebec's National Assembly on Tuesday.
Liberal Party spokesperson for First Nations and Inuit relations, Acadian native Andre Morin, urged the CAQ government to introduce CT scans and provide medical imaging services in the region “as soon as possible”. I asked for it.
“Will the CAQ government tolerate residents of Laval and Trois-Rivières having to travel 1,500 kilometres to receive a medical evaluation?” Morin said in a news release later the same day, calling it “unacceptable” for northern residents to have to do that.
“It is the responsibility of the state to provide the same services to all citizens throughout the territory, and even more so when it comes to health services.”
Audrey Noisey, a spokesperson for Health Minister Christian Dube, said in an email to Nunasiak News that the minister “recognizes the critical needs in the Nunavik region.”
“We will continue to work with our partners, particularly Nunavik Regional Health and Social Services, to accelerate projects that address the needs of our residents, particularly the installation of CT scans, which we support.”
A CT scan, or computed tomography, provides more detailed images than a typical X-ray.
Dr. Nathalie Boulanger, director of specialty services at both Nunavik health centres, said last month that she would like to make CT scans available at Kuujjuaq and Pvirnituk hospitals.
He said early detection increases a patient's chances of successful treatment.
Boulanger said scans shouldn't take more than 90 minutes, but people in Nunavimiut currently have to travel several days to get scans.
