Family of TB victim wants government to launch a public inquiry into death
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 07/01) - The daughter of a Fort McPherson teacher who died last summer of tuberculosis wants the territorial government to launch a public inquiry.
Effie Blake, 52, spent five weeks in the Inuvik Regional Hospital but was not diagnosed with TB until she was transferred to Yellowknife. She died last July in Edmonton.
"I really would like an inquiry," Maria Blake said Tuesday.
"It makes me sick the way they treat people here. When someone goes (to the hospital) for a medical opinion they should find out what is wrong."
Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer for the Northwest Territories, said last week that there was "certainly a delay in diagnosis" in the Blake case.
The GNWT's health department refused to comment. A spokesperson said the department is waiting for a report from an Alberta expert on tuberculosis.
The report is expected to go to Health Minister Jane Gronewegen this month.
It is not a public document, but Blake said she would she would "really like to see it."
"I'm happy (this is) out, now no one can ignore us," said Blake.
