Midwives depart, suspending prenatal services in Rankin Inlet – Nunatsiaq News

Expectant mothers must now travel to Iqaluit or Winnipeg, says Nunavut government

Prenatal care and birthing services for expectant mothers in the Kivalliq region have been “temporarily suspended” due to staffing shortages, says the Government of Nunavut.

Until further notice, the birthing centre based in Rankin Inlet remains closed, the GN said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

For now, that means pregnant women in the Kivalliq will be assessed and sent to either Iqaluit or Winnipeg to deliver, depending on their needs and their home community.

Rankin Inlet’s birthing centre, the oldest in the territory, usually employs four midwives, who deliver more than 50 infants a year.

Read More: https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/midwives-depart-suspending-prenatal-services-in-rankin-inlet/