Legislative Assembly briefs
Medical boarding homes possible
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 17, 2014
NUNAVUT
The Department of Health is looking into the possibility of setting up medical boarding homes in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
The department is in talks with Health Canada to make this a reality but there are a few hurdles to jump though, said Health Minister Monica Ell, in response to a question posed by Rankin Inlet MLA Alexander Sammurtok on March 10.
"At this present time, we are constrained by the lack of staff housing in the centres," said Ell.
"Also, we would have to work with the private companies, such as regional development corporations."
Nonetheless, the minister promised Sammurtok she would continue pursuing the possibility of establishing medical boarding homes in the two communities.
Nunavut's first CT scanner
The territory's first Computed Tomography (CT) scanner is installed and fully operational at Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit.
The equipment was purchased through funding provided by the Patient Wait Time Guarantee Trust.
The Department of Health is also using the money to upgrade digital radiology technology, replace outdated diagnostic imaging equipment and install a picture archiving and communication server (PACS).
"Our commitment to this project is expected to result in possible savings to Nunavut of approximately $2 million over the next five years and should also help reduce wait times for our patients," said Health Minister Monica Ell March 13.
Repulse Bay needs a bigger airport terminal: MLA
Repulse Bay has outgrown its airport terminal and a new one is needed, said Avillik MLA Steve Mapsalak.
Residents sometimes have to wait outside for their
flight because there simply isn't enough room in the terminal, he said.
"We are in danger. If
something happens in the terminal, people will not be able
to rush outside if a problem occurs."
Mapsalak asked Economic Development and Transportation Minister George Kuksuk how he can ensure the
issue makes it onto the government's priority list.
There are many outdated and inadequate terminals in Nunavut, responded Kuksuk.
"Our department is reviewing the issue of replacing air terminals based on the needs and priorities of our communities."
213 new homes by 2015
The Nunavut Housing Corporation has awarded contracts for 123 units to be built in Iqaluit, Arviat, Coral Harbour, Baker Lake and Repulse Bay.
The project will be funded using the $100 million of Economic Action Plan dollars
provided to Nunavut by the federal government.
The corporation has also put out tenders for 80 units to be constructed in Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Taloyoak, Rankin Inlet and Clyde River, said George Kuksuk, the
minister responsible for the
Nunavut Housing Corporation, in the legislative assembly March 11.
Another 10 units will be built in Whale Cove and Iglulik, with tenders going out in April.
Construction on most of the units is expected to wrap up by summer of 2015.
Resolute's utilidor getting fixed
Work on Resolute Bay's failing utilidor system will begin this summer, according
to Community and Government Services Minister Tom Sammurtok.
Last month, the Government of Nunavut awarded the contract for a new water and
sewage system in Resolute to Tower Arctic Ltd.
The system has been an ongoing source of concern for the community for sometime.
"The community's utilidor system is considered to be at the point of catastrophic failure," said Quttiktuq MLA Isaac Shooyook.
