Wildfires affecting Kitikmeot medical travel

Public Service Announcement
Wildfires affecting Kitikmeot medical travel

The Department of Health is advising Kitikmeot medical travelers that non-urgent medical appointments at the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife may be postponed due to wildfires.

Poor air quality due to smoke from several fires burning in the Northwest Territories has prompted precautionary evacuation orders for residents in the territory. Hotel accommodations for medical travelers are experiencing capacity restraints due to residents displaced by ordered evacuations.

Contingency plans are in place to ensure Nunavummiut requiring urgent medical attention are redirected to Edmonton for care. Medical travelers with non-urgent scheduled appointments will be contacted directly and informed of any change in reservations. 

The Department of Health is monitoring the situation closely and is in discussions with partners at the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

For questions and concerns regarding upcoming medical appointments, please contact your local health centre. Individuals with questions regarding medical travel scheduled in Yellowknife may contact Kitikmeot Medical Travel toll-free at 1-844-886-8010 or, after hours, 983-4506 and 983-5196.

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Media Contact:

Danarae Sommerville
A/ Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email