Health critics blasted

NNSL (Feb 02/98) - Critics of the Keewatin health care system were themselves the targets of some passionate criticism from Aivilik MLA Manitok Thompson.

"I would challenge any one of the members who have criticized the region to come to the Keewatin and repeat those criticisms face to face with those you are criticizing," Thompson told the legislative assembly Friday.

The minister of municipal and community affairs also accused critics of hammering the performance of local health boards to raise their public profiles.

"Is it more important to get your face in the newspaper or on TV than to prove your leadership?" asked Thompson.

Thompson took exception to the term "third world," which Kivallivik MLA Kevin O'Brien has used to characterize the state of health care in the region. She said it gives the wrong impression that people in the region are starving and living on the streets.

"Comments made in this house and in the media are unfair to the people of the Keewatin and especially to the people on the health boards in our communities," she said.

"These are strong individuals, proud people from the Keewatin who can work in a rational manner, identify issues and solve problems."

O'Brien stood up on a point of order following Thompson's speech and noted he used the term "third world" to describe the state of health care, not life in general in the region.

He also noted that all but seven of the 25 health care positions in the region were vacant during Christmas.

"The honorable member, with her comments, is misleading the house," said O'Brien.