Northern families consider health-care lawsuit

Some northern Manitoba families and aboriginal leaders are considering legal action over what they claim is shoddy health care in their communities.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), the organization representing northern Manitoba First Nations, says it plans to help concerned families launch a class-action lawsuit if health-care conditions do not improve in their region.

MKO Grand Chief David Harper said he is outraged to learn that a Health Canada review of thedeath in January of Kirby Woodconcluded that Wood had received proper care at the nursing station on the Manto Sipi First Nation in God's River, Man.

"Right now the state of care is totally unacceptable, and it's not going to work until the time comes when certain rules are put in place," Harper told CBC News on Wednesday.

Wood, 28, had gone to the nursing station feeling very ill, but he was sent home with painkillers instead of being flown out of the community for medical treatment, according to family members.

"The nurse just told him to take Tylenol and drink water. That's it," said his sister, Roberta Wood.

Kirby Wood was later rushed back to the nursing station, where he died.

In its review of Kirby's case, Health Canada said Wood received appropriate treatment at the nursing station.

"Who else in Canada would approve [of] going to an emergency [room] and being sent home with Tylenolby a nurse, not even a doctor?" Harper argued.

Harper said the federal review is further proof that health care in remote areas is substandard.

This past weekend, Drianna Ross, a two-month-old girl from the nearby Gods Lake Narrows First Nation, died despite attempts by her family to get medical treatment for her.

The infant's parents told reporters this week that they took Drianna to their local nursing station on Thursday, but they were sent home with painkillers.

When the baby's condition deteriorated on Friday, Drianna was flown to hospital in Thompson where she died Saturday morning.

Health Canada has said it will review Drianna Ross's death, and officials will meet with the family once that review is complete.

Harper said First Nations need to have more input into their own health-care services.