Cree health board launches 2nd medical charter for inland communities

The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) is launching a second medical charter, which will transport patients from the inland communities of Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou and Waswanipi to Val-d'Or and Montreal.

"We are very happy to be able to make this change," said Kathy Shecapio, director of Cree Patient Services.

"It's been difficult for our patients who travel from the north, especially when you are sick, you are vulnerable and to have to deal with all sorts of things to get yourself to Montreal from the north, it was difficult."

The CBHSSJB launched a first charter service a year ago, serving the coastal Cree communities. It says the service saved the health board $3.5 million in just its first year of operation.

"In improving services we were able to save money," said Shecapio.

"It removed a huge stress for our patients when they travel south, particularly for our elders, it's hard to leave your community and your support system to come to a large, strange, noisy city."

The second service, to be launched July 11, will be called the Cree Patient Inland Air Charter. It will fly a specially equipped Dash-8-100 turboprop plane five times a week between Chibougamau and the cities of Val-d'Or and Montreal.

Cree patients must regularly leave their home communities to seek specialized medical services only available in larger centres. According to the CBHSSJB, between April 2015 and March 2016, more than 32,000 appointments were made by Cree Patient Services in the three larger centres of Val-d'Or, Montreal and Chibougamau.

The possibility of a third charter is being studied by the CBHSSJB, one that would serve the communities of Nemaska, Waskaganish and Eastmain.