As the Nunavik Health Network slowly recovers from an unprecedented staff shortage anda crisis of confidence Heartbroken, his new CEO, Jennifer Munick-Watkins, reassures her that she understands his managers’ “frustration” and “heartache” recently reported by Radio-Canada.
In an interview this week in Montreal, she addresses all healthcare workers.
” It was really difficult for me. I had just arrived in the mail and had it all on my desk. Provincial surveys, the shortage of nurses […] I would like to reassure the staff at both health facilities that I have received the report [Verreault-Dion] with frankness,” she tells us, taking the time to answer in Molière, her third language. She takes turns speaking English, her second language after Inuktitut.
Originally from Kuujjuaq, the Inuk, who trained in social sciences and sociology at John Abbott College and Concordia University in Montreal, officially took over as chair of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (RRSSSN) this week. She had been an actress for five months.
” Thank you [les travailleurs de la santé]. They’re in the hospital with the Inuit all the time, they’re doing all the work and that’s important to me,” says Ms. Munick-Watkins.
I hear you, I listen and I can assure you that you have a voice within our administration.Jennifer Munick-Watkins, executive director of the NRBHSS network
Lise Verreault and François Dion are two investigators appointed by Quebec in 2020 to investigate allegations of financial embezzlement and poor governance at the Nunavik health network. Their report, which is kept confidential by Quebec, contains around thirty recommendations.
The Régie is open to working with the CEO of the MUHC
To restore confidence and ensure these recommendations are implemented, the Department of Health recently proposed die Régie to engage the outgoing CEO of MUHC, Pierre Gfeller, as a “coach”. The latter was straight replaced by dr. Lucie Opatrny.
Jennifer Munick-Watkins, who praises Mr. Gfeller’s professionalism and “kindness,” is candid. However, she specified that since this summer there have been regular exchanges with the Department of Health and Social Services and that discussions have evolved since this proposal.
” I also want to reassure my people that there will be no service interruptions. We may have to reduce the supply sometimes, but I really hope Nunavimiutt gets the care they are entitled to,” says the Inuk leader.
The former president of the local government, the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), reminds that Quebec, for its part, needs to be able to understand the “reality in the north” and redress inequalities that “have existed for decades between Inuit and non-Inuit “.
” I want Inuit workers in the Nunavik Health Network to have working conditions equal to non-Inuit, and that is not the case at the moment,” she laments.
Currently, Inuit workers are also underrepresented in the Nunavik health network. They also fill more support positions such as beneficiary supervisors or translators. No Inuk currently holds the position of doctor or nurse.
If we ignore the differences between Inuit and non-Inuit, the gap widens. We have to take action.Jennifer Munick-Watkins, executive director of the NRBHSS
For example, according to the chair, recruiting Inuit nurses, a project the Régie is currently working on, will not only help alleviate staffing shortages but also restore Nunavimmiut’s confidence in Quebec’s healthcare system.
” It makes a big difference when the speakers speak Inuktitut,” she points out, especially as translators are becoming increasingly rare.
” At the moment we have a translator shortage. It is a challenge. But I hope to win our young people over to the health system. They’re smart and quick-witted,” she says in a cheerful voice.
The Director-General recalls that the Quebec government also has a responsibility to adapt to Indigenous communities in response to numerous reports directed against it, including the Viens Commission report. Named after retired judge and commissioner Jacques Viens, this 2019 investigative report contained 142 recommendations.
My people have been suffering not only from health problems but also from social problems for decades.Jennifer Munick-Watkins, executive director of the NRBHSS
” They may find me tiring in Quebec, but I will constantly remind them that the reality in the North is not that of the Montreal, Quebec, or Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions.” said the Inuk leader.
” I’m really open. We all have to work together. But Quebec needs to adapt to the reality of Nunavimmiut,” she adds.
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