Nunavut baby dies while under care

Nunavut’s health department has launched an internal investigation into the death of an infant in the Kitikmeot community of Gjoa Haven. (FILE PHOTO)

(Updated July 13)

Nunavut’s health department has launched an internal investigation into the death of an infant who was, at the time, in the care of community health care workers in Gjoa Haven.

Health officials said July 12 that an investigation was launched “immediately following the incident,” but did not state the circumstances or timing of the baby’s death.

“We cannot comment on the specifics of this matter, as there is an ongoing investigation,” the health department said in a July 12 release. The baby’s age and gender have not been made public.

“The Department of Health takes this matter very seriously and is working with all involved to determine what happened. The health, safety and well-being of all Nunavummiut are always our priority.”

A July 12 release said the baby’s death was reported as a critical incident, which, under Nunavut legislation is defined as “any unintended/unexpected event that occurs when a patient receives treatment in the health centre or hospital or delivery of care to a patient that:

a) results in death, or serious disability, injury or harm to the patient, and;

b) does not result primarily from the patient’s underlying medical condition or from a known risk inherent in providing the treatment.”

Nunavut coroner’s office said July 13 that it would conduct an investigation into the infant’s death. In fact, the coroner’s office is required to conduct an autopsy on any child under five years of age who dies in Nunavut.

The health department said this would occur separately from its own investigation.

An external review conducted last year into the death of another Nunavut infant under care — the 2012 death of three-month-old Makibi Timilak — issued 47 recommendations, including changes to patient relations, how investigations are conducted and how critical incidents are reported.

The department said all 47 recommendations have been implemented.