Press Release
08 September 2022
The Department of Health is advising residents of Kimmirut that effective immediately, the health centre will be closed until September 16, 2022. This closure is due to critical incidences in the community causing operational constraints.
During the temporary closure, paramedics will be on site to provide urgent, or life-threatening care. The Department of Health will use a combination of virtual health and paramedic services to support residents of Kimmirut.
Home Care, Public Health and the Tuberculosis (TB) Program will continue with minimal interruption in services.
Calls will continue to go to the health centre and be directed to virtual support services. Calls may be automatically forwarded to other communities. There may be a delay during this time, but callers are recommended not to hang up. Support staff will be available by phone to assist with services such as filling prescriptions and medical travel.
Virtual public health staff, paramedics and other health staff will allow for continued response to COVID-19, provide testing, and conduct contact tracing and monitoring. Vaccines will continue to be available by appointment and will be administered by paramedics or a licensed nurse practitioner.
Service reductions or closures are subject to change based on staff availability. There may be changes to services if staffing levels change.
The Department of Health is working with government and territorial partners to ensure Nunavummiut have access to necessary health services while addressing staff shortages.
No additional information on the critical incidences will be provided.
###
Media Contact:
Danarae Sommerville
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5712
dsommerville1@gov.nu.ca
IHT5