Politics · Canada · 1 hr ago
Canada reviews care arrangements after remote First Nations woman’s death
Miranda Mamakwa, 31, from Fort Severn First Nation in northern Ontario, died in September after a brain hemorrhage, several months after open-heart surgery.
Her family says she missed four follow-up appointments because the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program did not arrange her medical travel.
The program helps First Nations patients in remote communities reach care elsewhere, including by covering travel and accommodation.
Getting to Thunder Bay meant a long, costly journey from her community, with flights and layovers, and travel in the region can be disrupted.
Indigenous Services Canada says it is reviewing her interactions with the health system and the circumstances of her death.
The department says it has introduced a simpler travel submission process, supported by local transportation co-ordinators, and acknowledges gaps in the program.
A regional Indigenous leader says more accountability and change are needed to prevent other patients from missing care.
Canada’s Indigenous Services department is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Miranda Mamakwa’s death after she missed follow-up appointments following open-heart surgery.
Mamakwa, 31, from Fort Severn First Nation, died on Sept. 8 from a brain hemorrhage several months after her surgery.
Her family alleges she missed four scheduled appointments because the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program did not arrange medical travel.
The department says it recognizes gaps in the program and is working to improve services for Indigenous patients in remote areas.
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says the changes are not enough and has called for accountability and broader change.
- Who
- Miranda Mamakwa, a 31-year-old member of Fort Severn First Nation, and Indigenous Services Canada.
- What
- The department is reviewing the circumstances surrounding her death after she missed postsurgery appointments. Her family alleges the program did not arrange her medical travel.
- When
- She underwent open-heart surgery in April and died on Sept. 8.
- Where
- Mamakwa was from Fort Severn First Nation, a remote community along Hudson Bay. Her follow-up appointment was in Thunder Bay.
- Why
- Her family says she missed four appointments because the Non-Insured Health Benefits program failed to arrange travel.
Indigenous Services Canada
Sol Mamakwa and Miranda Mamakwa’s family
Accountability
Indigenous Services Canada
The department says it agrees that Mamakwa’s interactions with the health care system and the circumstances of her death should be understood.
Sol Mamakwa and Miranda Mamakwa’s family
Sol Mamakwa says the department’s actions are not enough to bring accountability for repeated failures to arrange medical travel.
Response
Indigenous Services Canada
The department says it is improving service efficiency, including through a simplified travel submission process.
Sol Mamakwa and Miranda Mamakwa’s family
Sol Mamakwa calls for real change so no one else dies because medical travel was not arranged.
Miranda Mamakwa underwent open-heart surgery.
Mamakwa died from a brain hemorrhage.
The Globe and Mail reported that the federal government was reviewing the circumstances surrounding her death.
- Age
- 31
- Home community
- Fort Severn First Nation
- Surgery
- Open-heart surgery in April
- Date of death
- Sept. 8
- Missed appointments
- Her family says she missed four scheduled postsurgery appointments
- Follow-up destination
- Thunder Bay, about 850 kilometres south of Fort Severn First Nation
1 source
What people are saying
ISC acknowledges that medical transportation is a critical service for remote and fly-in communities.
The actions that Indigenous Services Canada has taken are not enough to bring accountability for their repeated failure to arrange Miranda Mamakwa’s medical travel,
It’s time for ISC to make real change so no one else dies a preventable death because their medical travel was not arranged.