KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET - Sewer smells and equipment fumes closed the Cape Dorset Health Centre four to five days last month, according to the community's MLA, something the territorial health department denies.

The Cape Dorset Health Centre has experienced a plugged roof vent pipe, fumes from the X-ray machine and thermostat problems in the last month, stated South Baffin MLA Fred Schell at the legislature on March 4.

"I went to the health centre a couple of weeks ago and I walked in and I just about fainted," he stated.

He added the head nurse told him the health centre closed four or five days in February and should have for more but they couldn't because that's where patients get their tuberculosis medication.

"There are patients who actually go in there and leave the health centre sicker (than) when they go in ..." Schell also stated March 4. "I think it's becoming an emergency rather than a replacement in the future."

Virginia Turner, acting regional director for the Baffin Region, speaking from Pangnirtung, said staff opened windows and doors to get rid of the sewer smell and ensure good ventilation. She added she received no complaints from staff and patients.

"From what I am told, I don't have any reason to be concerned," she said. "We never close our health centres and that health centre wasn't closed.

"We don't close. We may have gone on emergency services or we may have just changed patients coming in. Certainly, all patients would have been seen."

But Schell is adamant the centre closed for a few days in February.

"She (the nurse) had mentioned to me they have been closed two or three days at least that month, which was February," he said outside the legislature on March 10. "All I would tell them (health department), is check with the nurses there. I was there. I was a witness. I don't know where they're getting the story they haven't been closed because that's not true. I can vouch for it because I was there personally myself."

The health centre, built in 1985, employs 11 people - one supervisor, four community health nurses as well as one mental health nurse, one home-care nurse and four support staff.

Health and Social Services Minister Tagak Curley stated building repairs are the responsibility of the Department of Community and Government Services.

The territorial government has a community maintenance agreement with the hamlet where CGS funds it to provide the maintenance, said Lorne Levy, assistant deputy minister of Community and Government Services.

He added the vent pipe that allows sewer gases to escape was plugged with ice, and had to be unblocked. As for the fumes emanating from the X-ray machine, he said the GN is looking to see whether the building has proper ventilation.

"They're all being repaired or have been repaired," he said. "I know certainly the odours cause concern but that's been repaired.

"It's always a concern to us but occasionally, it does happen. When it does, we just have to deal with it, knowing it's disruptive to the community.

"It's a service that's essential so it becomes for us very important to correct it."

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