The Indigenous residents of Nunavik are confronted with formidable barriers to healthcare, including economic, geographic, social, and cultural challenges. The existing healthcare model in Nunavik is both financially burdensome and culturally ineffective. 2 In 2019-2020, 5,000 patients, a significant portion of the 13,000 total population, had to travel to the South for medical care, with projected travel expenditures soaring to $107 million in 2020-2021. This not only strains resources but also causes emotional distress for Inuit patients, who often face isolation and detachment when treated away from their communities.
Two hospitals serve fourteen communities in Nunavik, but specialist care is limited, necessitating many patients to be flown to urban areas for consultations. This results in a fragmented diagnostic and treatment process, requiring multiple return visits and causing financial repercussions for patients missing work.
Eeyou Istchee, meaning "The People's Land," is the traditional territory of the Crees of northern Quebec.
Photo Credit: Valérie Element
Photo Credit: World Atlas
Covering over 400,000 square kilometers, this vast region is situated within the Boreal and Taiga eco-zones. For thousands of years, the Crees have engaged in traditional activities like hunting, fishing, and trapping across their homeland. The Cree Nation is home to over 18,000 individuals, with 16,000 residing in nine established communities.
Health and social services in these Cree communities are provided by the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay in partnership with the Government of Quebec. There are nine Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centre (CMC) with one regional hospital in Chisasibi.
Our proposed solution involves leveraging virtual care to improve healthcare delivery in Nunavik. Virtual care has the potential to not only reduce costs but also enhance access to medical services for Indigenous populations in remote areas. Patients can receive culturally sensitive care in their home communities, eliminating the need for long and costly journeys. Previous studies have shown improved social and emotional well-being, increased access to specialists, reduced missed appointments, and overall enhanced clinical outcomes.
One specific health challenge is a high prevalence of allergies, especially among children. Recent data from Iqaluit, Nunavut, reveals alarming rates of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. Moreover, Inuit children are experiencing a potential rise in anaphylactic food allergies related to their traditional country foods like raw caribou or arctic char.
Through the project of Connexion Nordique, we aim to deliver virtual care solutions tailored to the unique healthcare needs of Northern Québec. Together in partnership with local leaders, we can bridge the healthcare disparities, ensuring that the Inuit communities receive the highest quality allergy care.
