Metis Leaders Concerned About Health System

Metis Leaders Concerned About Health System

Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 15:50

 

 

A Metis leader from east-central Saskatchewan says the provincial government needs to get a firmer grasp of the medical issues facing Metis in the province.

 

Helen Johnson, the area director for the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan’s Eastern Region 2-A, was one of several reps attending a health conference today at Elk Ridge Resort near Waskesiu.

 

Provincial Health Minister Don McMorris listened patiently to several stories of Aboriginal patients who apparently fell through the cracks in the health system.

 

One delegate described the story of an elder who was forced to hitchhike in -50 C weather to get to a medical appointment.

 

Another talked about how his medical taxi was forced to leave at 6 a.m. to get elders to appointments in Saskatoon, and not get back until midnight.

 

Johnson says many Metis in her region don’t trust the health system at all, and as a result, only use it in crisis situations.

 

McMorris says he will take all of the feedback gathered at today’s session into advisement.

 

He insists change is coming to health care in the province, and Metis will be included in that.