NAN calls for implementation of Health Canada's 2003 commitment
NAN PRESS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is requesting the implementation of a 2003 Health Canada commitment to First Nations.
"The concern for the people of Nishnawbe Aski is the broad amount of discretion afforded to First Nation and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) representatives and the imminent danger it poses to the health of our members," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler in a December 2005 letter to Gavin Brown A/Regional Director of First Nations and Inuit Health Branch - a department of Health Canada.
"The current system has serious flaws and amendments are required to represent a needs based approach acknowledging the Crown's fiduciary responsibility toward the First Nation members of NAN instead a cost-containment program that is jeopardizing the health of our NAN population. If the mission of the non-insured health benefits program is to help the people of Canada maintain and improve their health, why are NAN members being denied the assistance they require?"
In 2003 Ontario Regional Director of FNIHB Al Garman signed a letter of understanding with Wunnumin Lake First Nation and Sioux Lookout Zone Chiefs stating a commitment to First Nations health.
This commitment was also outlined in a resolution adopted by the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs in December 2005 stating the administrative undue hardships and burdens the policies are creating for First Nation people need to be identified and an immediate resolution is required regarding the Medical Transportation Policy.
Health Canada released the Medical Transportation Policy in 2005 which failed to adopt the policy changes submitted on behalf of First Nations users in NAN territory.
The current wording of the Medical Transportation Policy obstructs access to health care for many NAN First Nation community members, including Janet Cromarty - a pregnant woman with chronic Cholecystitis from Wunnumin Lake First Nation.
Janet Cromarty was denied a request for an alternate location for surgery once the medical transportation policy determined medical treatment was only to be performed in Sioux Lookout.
In addition to the implementation of Health Canada's commitment to the health of First Nations made in 2003, Fiddler is calling for immediate medical intervention to ensure Cromarty gets appropriate assessments and treatments before her condition and that of her unborn child worsens.
Despite Fiddler's demands on Health Canada for an investigation into this latest rejection of non-insured health benefits for medical transportation of an eligible NAN First Nation member, Health Canada has not budged - falling back on faulty policy and responsibilities of the Ontario government.
"The assertion that the policy is National confirms that the unique issues NAN members are dealing with, like remoteness and geography, are of little consequence during decision-making," said Fiddler in a follow up letter to Health Canada dated January 16, 2006.
"Repeatedly, eligible NAN First Nation members have been denied medical transportation and/or other eligible benefits under the policies because of discretionary powers afforded to FNIHB clerks who have the authority to approve or deny an individual's claim. The inconsistencies in decision-making are putting individuals at risk due to the arbitrary nature of the policies."
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/For further information: Jenna Young, Communications Officer, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952, (807) 628-3953 (cellular); Dean Cromarty, Contact for Janet Cromarty, (807) 474 2624/