St. John’s, NL (September 17, 2024)

Lela Evans, MHA for Torngat Mountains, voiced her ongoing frustration and deep disappointment today as Northern Labrador residents continue to be bumped off medical flights, depriving them of essential healthcare access.

“Accessing healthcare services in Northern Labrador has become a constant struggle,”

said Evans. “The lack of available medical flights means many residents are missing vital treatment sessions, specialist appointments, and even experiencing delays in scheduled surgeries.”

Evans noted that the situation has only worsened despite promises made to herself, the Nunatsiavut Government, and the Mushuau Innu First Nation regarding increased medical flights in June. “We were assured there would be an improvement, yet medical transportation has deteriorated. Patients are still being bumped from flights on their way to and returning from critical medical appointments.”

“This failure not only affects the patients, but it also forces many to lose hope in receiving timely treatment and recovery,” Evans added.

“A diagnosis is now met with anxiety about how they will access care, as the system has become so unreliable. The uncertainty of securing medical transportation affects the individual and their families.”

Reports from patients include being bumped off flights for chemotherapy treatments and enduring delays of several days for transportation after suffering strokes or heart attacks. Evans shared one especially troubling case: “An expectant mother who tragically miscarried was repeatedly bumped off flights for a week. It was only after she reached out to our office and posted about her ordeal on social media that a flight was arranged.”

“The Furey Liberals continued to fail people of this province, especially those in rural parts of our province.”

“I will continue to bring attention to the tremendous barriers people in my district face in accessing health care.  This government and the provincial health authority must address the inadequate medical flights that are causing so much unnecessary suffering and even preventable deaths for my people in Northern Labrador. It is time for this government to take immediate action to ensure that all patients, no matter where they live, have timely access to the healthcare services they need.”