Close X
    Sunday, November 17, 2024
    ADVT 
    National

    Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2024 04:11 PM
    • Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    The group representing Canada's physicians has formally apologized for the harm medical professionals caused to Indigenous Peoples, saying it is "deeply ashamed" and "owning its history" of racism, neglect and abuse.

    At an apology ceremony in Victoria attended by representatives from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the Canadian Medical Association says it is sorry that it has lost the trust of Indigenous communities and has committed to righting its wrongs.

    The association says its research has found a history of harm caused by the Canadian medical profession, including "Indian hospitals, forced medical experimentation, forced sterilization and child apprehensions."

    The group also says research has turned up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.

    The association says both actions and inactions by Canadian physicians created deep mistrust by the Indigenous community towards health care systems, leading to further harm to members.

    Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the organization's first Indigenous president in its 157-year history, says in a video message ahead of the apology that "recognizing truth is essential to support healing, improve Indigenous health and reconcile the ties between health professionals and Indigenous patients."

    The group also says it is committed to tracking physicians' progress in addressing the harms caused, which includes providing regular updates about the association's Indigenous health initiatives.

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. to provide $155.7 million to recruit and retain specialized health workers

    B.C. to provide $155.7 million to recruit and retain specialized health workers
    The British Columbia government is spending more money to recruit and retain health-science workers, especially those in rural and remote communities.  Health Minister Adrian Dix says $155.7 million has been set aside at a time when B.C. has a "significantly increasing population" and more skilled health-care staff are needed, particularly in remote communities.

    B.C. to provide $155.7 million to recruit and retain specialized health workers

    Ottawa 'urgently' waiting for info from B.C. before deciding on drug criminalization

    Ottawa 'urgently' waiting for info from B.C. before deciding on drug criminalization
    The province is one year into a three-year pilot project to decriminalize possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. A Health Canada exemption was issued to allow the pilot to proceed. Last week, B.C. Premier David Eby asked Health Canada to recriminalize the use of those drugs in public spaces, such as hospitals and parks. Possession in private spaces would still 

    Ottawa 'urgently' waiting for info from B.C. before deciding on drug criminalization

    Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors

    Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors
    Citizens' Services Minister Terry Beech says 1,200 seniors have already visited a dentist and had their claims processed by the federal government's new dental care plan. He says 1 million seniors received their benefits card and are eligible to make claims under the program as of today.

    Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors

    B.C. woman arrested over speech that praised Hamas attack

    B.C. woman arrested over speech that praised Hamas attack
    Police say a 44-year-old woman has been arrested in a hate-crime investigation over a speech in Vancouver that praised the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. A statement from the Vancouver Police Department says the woman "referred to a number of terrorist organizations as heroes." 

    B.C. woman arrested over speech that praised Hamas attack

    Safety gear, training, helped B.C. wildfire pilot survive crash, safety board says

    Safety gear, training, helped B.C. wildfire pilot survive crash, safety board says
    A Transportation Safety Board report says experience, recent training and safety equipment were key factors in a pilot surviving the crash of a firefighting plane south of Cranbrook in August 2022. The report says the pilot was alone in the Air Tractor AT-802A aircraft and had just finished his eighth water drop when the engine suddenly lost power, with no time to recover because of the low altitude.   

    Safety gear, training, helped B.C. wildfire pilot survive crash, safety board says

    London Drugs closure continues due to cybersecurity incident

    London Drugs closure continues due to cybersecurity incident
    London Drugs is investigating whether personal data was breached in a cybersecurity incident that has prompted the company to close its stores across Western Canada until further notice. A statement from the Richmond-based retailer and pharmacy chain says it will notify "affected individuals" if the probe finds their data was breached.

    London Drugs closure continues due to cybersecurity incident

    PrevNext