Organization regulating medical care in Manitoba apologizes for Indigenous-specific racism in health care
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
"The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba recognizes its failure to effectively regulate the medical profession to prevent racist and substandard medical care to Indigenous peoples," said the organization’s statement and apology on truth and reconciliation and Indigenous-specific racism in medical practice.
Manitoba First Nation leadership were presented the apology on Tuesday during the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) annual general assembly.
"I was shocked and I was surprised," said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick on Wednesday.
Merrick said the apology was welcome, though not fully accepted, given the mistreatment suffered by Indigenous people in Manitoba by the health-care system.
"I don't think we're there at this point in time," Merrick said.
"I think that we need to be able to work together and educate people."
A major part of that education will begin with dismantling racist assumptions about Indigenous patients.
Chief Sheldon Kent, chairperson for the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, said racism is something Manitoba First Nation members can experience as soon as they walk into a hospital or clinic. He added that oftentimes this results in people assuming Indigenous patients have alcohol or substance-related issues and not being afforded compassion during the intake process.
"Any individual, when you walk into any facility (should) be greeted with "How can I help you?'" Kent said. "Make them feel welcome and ask, 'What's the problem?’ It's basic human rights service.”
In its joint apology and statement, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) notes historical instances of mistreatment of First Nations people at the hands of the health-care system, like segregated hospitals or unethical nutrition experiments conducted on Indigenous children.
Current examples of Indigenous-specific racism, like not recognizing the benefit of integrating Indigenous health-care practices in tandem with Western practices and outright derogatory comments, are also included in the statement, along with next steps forward, including a standard of practice to prevent Indigenous racism.
Physicians who do not comply with the new framework of conduct will be reprimanded.
"There are always those from whom a carrot is not a good thing, they need a stick," said Dr. Anna Ziomek, registrar with the college. "We will have a standard that will call out these things and you will be put through a disciplinary process."
Ziomek added that education will play a pivotal role in the CPSM's ongoing efforts to dismantle systemic racism in the Manitoba health-care system.
VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES FROM RACISM
Racism in Manitoba's health-care system has very real consequences for Indigenous people in the province.
According to a 2019 study, First Nations people in Manitoba are more likely to die a premature death compared to the average Manitoban. On average, the life expectancy for a First Nation man or woman in Manitoba is eleven years shorter than the average Manitoban.
That's despite First Nations people spending more than double the time in hospital compared to most Manitobans.
"I have no doubt that a lot of the poorer health outcomes are indirectly and potentially even directly related to racism," said Dr. Alan Katz, lead author on the study.
Katz said this can manifest in a number of ways. For example, he said there are specific clinics and emergency rooms in Manitoba that First Nation people will not go to because of mistreatment, which can lead to delayed medical care.
There are also differences in procedures, Katz added, like not completing certain tests when an Indigenous person suffers a heart attack.
"It goes from differences in investigations of symptoms to differences in treatments to differences in access to care because of respect and dignity," he said.
Waiting longer for an angiogram, inadequate pain control, and delayed referrals to a diabetes specialists are other ways racism can manifest in Manitoba's health-care system, said Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean for Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism at the University of Manitoba's Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
"Because of past negative experiences, people avoid the health-care system when they do need health care, which can lead to delayed diagnoses in certain conditions," said Anderson said. "So there are significant impacts of racism on health care."
Medical professionals can also experience racism, added Anderson.
"When we think about the current health-care worker crisis. Then there are lots of reasons to address racism in the health-care system,” said Anderson, alluding to a shortage of health-care workers in Manitoba.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.