Rankin Inlet (Jun 21/06) - Rankin Inlet community leaders are outraged with what some call a baffling decision not to renew the contract of the Kivalliq's longest serving doctor.

Dr. James Wiens was told his contract would not be renewed when it expired June 16. The University of Manitoba's Northern Medical Unit, under contract to provide doctors in Nunavut, gave no reason for the decision, he said. -

In an area starved for doctors, the revelation last week that popular family physician James Wiens had received his walking papers sent shockwaves through Rankin.

"To find a dedicated doctor is rare," said MLA Tagak Curley, who represents Rankin North. "We're in a crisis."

With the average doctor's stay at about 12 months, Rankin Mayor Lorne Kusugak said Wiens' four-plus years seemed like a godsend.

"We finally have a doctor ... who has embraced the community," Kusugak told Kivalliq News last week.

"I am very, very, very upset."

Wiens, who works in Rankin's Kivalliq Regional Health Centre, was told late last month his contract would not be renewed when it expired June 16. The University of Manitoba's Northern Medical Unit, under contract to provide doctors in Nunavut, gave no reason for the decision, he said.

Wiens departure is another blow to an already overburdened health care system, Curley said. An acute shortage of doctors and nurses has caused a crisis in the Kivalliq that the government has not done enough to address, he said.

The Kivalliq has three full-time family physicians, two short-term, southern doctors and 51 nurses, according to figures from the health department.

Despite those numbers, doctors are often over-worked, said Wiens, who was once on call for a month straight.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said in the assembly that health care was a priority to the government.

"Any individual who requires medical care is important."

Officials from the department were not available for comment before press time.

A letter from the director of the Northern Medical Unit - Dr. Bruce Martin - said only that the decision not to renew Wiens' contract had been made "with the support" of the Kivalliq regional health authority and the territorial department of health and social services.

"It is felt by all concerned that this definitive decision regarding your contract status will allow you to make necessary changes in your career direction," Martin wrote.

"The letter broke my heart," Wiens said.

Martin was travelling last week and not available for comment.

Aglukkaq declined to talk about Wiens' case when pressed in the Nunavut legislature last week, saying the matter was confidential.She later volunteered to discuss the case with Curley behind closed doors.

Kusugak said the decision to let Wiens walk could not have been based on his medical performance, which the mayor described as excellent.

"If he wasn't a good doctor I would have people calling me up saying, 'Get him out of here,'" he said. "Nobody said that."

Beyond his medical contribution, Wiens had become a well-liked member of the community, Kusugak added. He joined in everything from hunting to square dancing.

"This is the first time we have had a doctor who wants to stay here."

A petition is circulating the town urging the Northern Medical Unit and the territorial government to reconsider their decision.

Meanwhile, the 45-year-old Wiens is resigned to leaving the Kivalliq in the very near future.

"I've got a week to pack my bags. I can't afford to stay in the community," the Manitoban said. "It has been an honour and privilege to work here."

About 20 protesters gathered outside the Kivalliq Health Centre Friday afternoon, waving banners and chanting "keep Dr. Wiens."

One of the placard-waivers was Lucy Wiebe, who said Wiens saved her grandson with an emergency appendectomy. "He's really good. I'm upset that he is leaving."

Others like Rebecca Jones, are tired of the high turnover rate at the health centre and couldn't understand why Wiens' contract had not been renewed.

"He really cared about us," she said.

"And he wanted to stay."