The family of a one-month-old baby is mourning after the infant died due to delays in receiving medical care in Sanirajak, Nunavut. The mother, Rita Javagiaq, gave birth to twin boys on January 26 and contacted the local health centre between 10 p.m. and midnight on February 23 when one of the twins started having difficulty breathing.
Their call was transferred to Iqaluit, and they were told that the local health centre would return their call. They did not receive a call back, and when they contacted the health centre the next morning at 9 a.m., they were again told to wait.
However, Javagiaq took the baby to the health centre, where staff performed CPR, but it was too late to save the baby’s life. Josiah Jeremy Jamiesie Akearok died on February 24.
His twin brother, who also had trouble breathing, was later medevaced to Winnipeg. Jamie Akearok, the twins’ father, is demanding an investigation into the health staff who were supposed to help them. He also criticized the health centre for taking his baby’s body away before he had time to spend with him.
Nunavut’s coroner is investigating the death. Health Minister John Main told CBC that his department is working to investigate the circumstances around the death. He said calls to health centres sometimes get transferred to another community if health staff need time off.
Main added that his department is looking at what supports it can provide to Sanirajak, and they are exploring all options to help the family.
The health minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and assured them that the matter is being taken very seriously, and they are looking for ways to support them.
»Canadian family loses baby due to delay in medical response«
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