Baker Lake (June 02/03) - The review of the death of a Baker Lake infant is nearing completion.

Assistant deputy health minister Dr. Keith Best announced the independent review this past March.

The infant died after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The death came about a month after another Baker youth was sent South for treatment after repeated calls to the local health centre were rebuffed.

The review is being conducted by pediatrician Dr. Lynne Warda and nurse practitioner Kathleen deLeon-Demare.

Warda is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Manitoba and a member of Manitoba's College of Physicians and Surgeons Pediatric Review Committee.

DeLeon-Demare holds a master's degree in advanced practice nursing.

She is a nurse practitioner with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and has spent time in Rankin Inlet.

The review is being co-ordinated by Dr. Alec Macaulay, the co-ordinator of the Northern Medical Unit's Inuit Health program.

Dr. Bruce Martin heads up the Northern Medical Unit at the University of Manitoba.

Martin said he and Best wanted to ensure the reviewers were familiar with but at arm's distance from Kivalliq medical practice and personnel for the review to be objective.

He said it often takes an extended period of time to gather documentation for an in-depth review.

"We are aware of the urgency to move forward with the review," said Martin.

"I have spoken with both researchers and they are aware of the complexity of the medical care and the dynamics involved with this case."

Macaulay gave the two reviewers a full series of documents on the infant's life this past Friday.

He also presented them with all investigations, both before and after death, regarding the child's case.

Martin said there is no definitive date for the results to be released.

He said the top priority is to ensure the reviewers don't compromise an in-depth review because of the time factor.

"Some people may ask, why is it taking so long?

"But, some things take time to acquire, including post mortem reports, some of which are based on studies that take a period of time after investigations have been done."

Martin said while other areas may yet be looked at, the current review is focused strictly on the medical aspects of care in the case.

"We're not examining or analyzing Nunavut's health-care system.

"This is a specific case review being conducted in a manner relatively well-established in infant and youth mortality studies."