JimO
Well-known member
Source: http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2161431
New swine flu death
H1N1 virus claims life of Fox Lake Cree First Nation woman
Posted By Brandon Walker The Daily Press
A woman recently died at the Timmins and District Hospital due to complications from the H1N1 virus.
The woman was from the Fox Lake Cree Nation in Chapleau, therefore officials at TDH and the Porcupine Health Unit wouldn't confirm or deny the death.
A spokeswoman from Fox Lake Cree Nation band office confirmed the death occurred, but would not offer further comment.
A message was left for the band leader, who didn't return calls by press time.
A spokeswoman with Health Canada also couldn't comment, but suggested The Daily Press speak with someone from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Afternoon calls to the ministry weren't returned.
The Daily Press became aware of the death after a Chapleau resident sent an e-mail to the newsroom. The e-mail said the "roughly" 31-year-old woman was a bus driver who died at TDH on Monday.
Incidents such as this are bringing political attention to a lack of vaccine distributed to some First Nation communities.
NDP Leader Andrea Horvath is demanding the provincial Liberal government make sure the H1N1 vaccine is quickly delivered to Northern Ontario's First Nation communities.
On Tuesday, the Health Minister told media the H1N1 vaccine rollout to First Nations communities was a shining example of how well the system works, but Horvath disagrees.
"Today we learned that the (vaccine) is arriving too late in many First Nations communities," Horvath said yesterday during Question Period.
"One out of every 15 First Nations people are sick with the virus. Children are being hospitalized. But First Nations are still waiting for adequate supplies of the vaccine.
"Is this really the Minister's definition of a shining success?" she asked.
Health units are responsible for delivering the vaccine to First Nations communities, she said.
"Health Units are are a provincial responsibility. First Nations communities were told they were a high priority. Now we see a McGuinty government that is shamefully trying to skirt its responsibility," Horvath said.
She referenced comments made by Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, who said his 49 communities have only received half the vaccines they were promised.
"Why are high-priority First Nations experiencing this kind of delay," Horvath said. "It's unacceptable."
New swine flu death
H1N1 virus claims life of Fox Lake Cree First Nation woman
Posted By Brandon Walker The Daily Press
A woman recently died at the Timmins and District Hospital due to complications from the H1N1 virus.
The woman was from the Fox Lake Cree Nation in Chapleau, therefore officials at TDH and the Porcupine Health Unit wouldn't confirm or deny the death.
A spokeswoman from Fox Lake Cree Nation band office confirmed the death occurred, but would not offer further comment.
A message was left for the band leader, who didn't return calls by press time.
A spokeswoman with Health Canada also couldn't comment, but suggested The Daily Press speak with someone from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Afternoon calls to the ministry weren't returned.
The Daily Press became aware of the death after a Chapleau resident sent an e-mail to the newsroom. The e-mail said the "roughly" 31-year-old woman was a bus driver who died at TDH on Monday.
Incidents such as this are bringing political attention to a lack of vaccine distributed to some First Nation communities.
NDP Leader Andrea Horvath is demanding the provincial Liberal government make sure the H1N1 vaccine is quickly delivered to Northern Ontario's First Nation communities.
On Tuesday, the Health Minister told media the H1N1 vaccine rollout to First Nations communities was a shining example of how well the system works, but Horvath disagrees.
"Today we learned that the (vaccine) is arriving too late in many First Nations communities," Horvath said yesterday during Question Period.
"One out of every 15 First Nations people are sick with the virus. Children are being hospitalized. But First Nations are still waiting for adequate supplies of the vaccine.
"Is this really the Minister's definition of a shining success?" she asked.
Health units are responsible for delivering the vaccine to First Nations communities, she said.
"Health Units are are a provincial responsibility. First Nations communities were told they were a high priority. Now we see a McGuinty government that is shamefully trying to skirt its responsibility," Horvath said.
She referenced comments made by Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, who said his 49 communities have only received half the vaccines they were promised.
"Why are high-priority First Nations experiencing this kind of delay," Horvath said. "It's unacceptable."