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Family Calls for Change After Young Boy Denied Medical Evacuation Due to Status Card Issue

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This boy hurt in collision didn't have an Indian status card, so Ottawa wouldn't pay for medical evacuation
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The family of a seven-year-old boy from the Deer Lake First Nation is urging the Canadian government to revise its Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program after their child was denied critical medical transportation. The incident has raised serious concerns about access to healthcare for Indigenous communities, particularly in remote areas.

Jordan Harper, a Grade 2 student, suffered severe injuries in a tragic head-on collision in January. The accident, which also claimed the life of his grandmother, occurred on a winter road near their northwestern Ontario community. Following the crash, Jordan was airlifted to the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, where doctors inserted two metal rods into his leg.

Despite the urgency of his medical needs, Jordan’s family faced a frustrating setback when they attempted to schedule a follow-up surgery to remove the rods. They were informed that he was ineligible for NIHB coverage because he did not possess an Indian status card. This card, which his late grandmother had been trying to obtain for him, is a requirement for the program.

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“We were devastated when we learned he wasn’t covered,” said Aretta Meekis, Jordan’s stepmother. “He was in so much pain, and all I could do was cry. How can you refuse a child in need of help?”

Deer Lake First Nation is home to approximately 1,100 residents, and the community is accessible only by air or winter road. After waiting more than a week for a medical evacuation, the local tribal council, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, stepped in to cover the costs of Jordan’s transport to Thunder Bay for his surgery.

Monica Hemeon, vice-president of regional services for the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA), noted that Jordan’s situation is not unique. “We hear similar stories all the time,” she said. “Community chiefs and health directors are frequently forced to pay out of pocket for necessary medical services.”

The NIHB program is designed to provide health benefits to First Nations and Inuit people across Canada, covering services not included under other social programs or provincial health plans. This includes medical transportation for those needing care unavailable in their communities. However, eligibility is limited to registered First Nations individuals, recognized Inuit, or children under two whose parents meet the criteria.

Jordan’s family is left questioning why an exception couldn’t be made in his case, given the urgency of his condition. The process to obtain his status card has been delayed due to the aftermath of the accident, leaving them in a precarious situation.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) acknowledged the issues surrounding the NIHB program. A spokesperson stated that the department is actively working to enhance medical transportation services in the Sioux Lookout area.

However, the Harper family believes that changes are needed urgently. Miscommunication and missed appointments have become commonplace in their community, according to Brad Meekis, a band councilor responsible for health services. He highlighted ongoing issues with the NIHB staff, who often fail to receive referrals from the nursing station, leading to critical appointments being missed.

Amanda Meekis, who manages medical travel requests at Deer Lake’s nursing station, echoed these frustrations. “I spend hours on hold with NIHB employees, and sometimes they just hang up on me,” she said. “It’s incredibly disheartening when our community members miss important medical appointments due to these issues.”

The impact of missed appointments can be severe, Hemeon warned. “If someone misses a specialist appointment, their diagnosis could be delayed, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences,” she said.

In response to these challenges, ISC has announced measures to improve the NIHB program, including increasing staffing levels at the Sioux Lookout office and streamlining processes for medical transportation requests. However, many in the community feel these changes are too slow.

Hemeon also emphasized the need for better support for patients once they reach urban centers for medical care. SLFNHA operates hostels in Sioux Lookout for patients traveling for appointments, but navigating the healthcare system in larger cities can be daunting for many.

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“Patients often struggle with booking accommodations and transportation once they arrive in urban centers,” she explained. “We’re trying to expand our support services, but we’ve faced resistance from Indigenous Services Canada regarding our efforts.”

Meanwhile, Jordan is recovering well from his surgery and is eager to return to his normal activities. “He’s so happy now that he can move around freely,” Aretta said, expressing gratitude for the care he received. However, uncertainty looms over his upcoming follow-up appointment in Thunder Bay, as the family remains unsure how the trip will be funded.

Jordan’s story shines a light on the broader issues facing Indigenous communities in accessing healthcare services. His family hopes that by sharing their experience, they can raise awareness and inspire changes that will prevent others from facing similar obstacles in the future.

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