Quebec officials are expressing strong disapproval following the passing of a four-year-old child in the Nunavik community of Ivujivik amid allegations that the youngster was not provided with necessary medical care.
A statement released on Thursday by Québec Solidaire representative Sol Zanetti demands clarity regarding the demise of Jusi Padlayat, who, according to Zanetti, passed away on August 3 after being taken by his parents to the local clinic multiple times due to stomach discomfort but reportedly did not receive treatment.
In an interview with La Presse, Padlayat’s grandmother, Annie Mangiuk, disclosed that medical staff disregarded the family’s worries and advised them to administer Advil or Tylenol to the child. Mangiuk recounted that Padlayat was discovered unconscious on August 1, taken to the nearby nursing station, and subsequently transferred to Montreal Children’s Hospital where he succumbed two days later.
Zanetti condemned the prolonged suffering of a child as unacceptable and highlighted concerns of negligence, urging a thorough investigation and action, particularly if systemic racism is a factor in healthcare services.
Additionally, Zanetti called upon the Commissioner of Children’s Rights and Welfare to probe Padlayat’s demise. CBC News has contacted the Commissioner’s office for a response.
The Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) has also advocated for enhanced healthcare in northern regions, proposing increased telemedicine services as a viable solution. Sandrine Rioux, the QLP candidate in Ungava, encompassing Ivujivik, emphasized that residents in Ungava should not have to worry about accessing essential care based on their geographical location.
A statement from Joyce’s Principle Office emphasized that Padlayat’s passing underscores the importance of respecting dignity through attentive and effective services for First Nations and Inuit communities.
The Inuulitsivik Health Centre and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services have confirmed internal and external investigations into the incident. Quebec’s coroners office is also conducting an inquiry but refrained from discussing specifics regarding the cause and circumstances of the child’s demise.
The Montreal Children’s Hospital declined to provide comments on individual cases.