Nunavut investigating after baby dies in Gjoa Haven

The minister of health is investigating the recent death of a baby in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, as a "critical incident."

"In keeping with the Department of Health's protocols, we are following the appropriate steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death," states the health ministry in a release.

"The Department of Health takes this matter very seriously and is working with all involved to determine what happened."

The death was reported as a critical incident, as laid out in the Community Health Nursing Administration Manual, according to the release.

A "critical incident" is defined as any unintended or unexpected event that occurs when a patient receives treatment that "results in death, or serious disability, injury or harm," according to the department. 

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The term is used for situations when the results "do not result primarily from the patient's underlying medical condition or from a known risk inherent in providing the treatment."

The health department has not offered any information about how or when the baby died, or the community health staff involved in the incident.

'Helping each other in the time of need'

Tony Akoak, the MLA for Gjoa Haven, said he's been talking to Health Minister George Hickes and his staff for the past week about the death.

"They've told me that there is an investigation going on and they would not be giving me any other information until they have it all."

The ministry of health and the coroner's office both say they will not release any specifics on the circumstances surrounding the death.

Akoak says the community has been greatly affected by the death, but is coping.

"The community has always pulled themselves together by helping each other in the time of need of a family."

Highest infant mortality in Canada

According to Statistics Canada, Nunavut has the highest infant mortality rate in the country. In 2012, 18 infants died in Nunavut before reaching the age of one. 

• Nunavut still has highest infant mortality rate in Canada

That was also the year when three-month-old Makibi Timilak died in Cape Dorset after a nurse allegedly refused to see him. 

The case prompted an investigation and an apology from the Nunavut government. A coroner's inquest is set to take place in Cape Dorset, though no date has been set.