Quebec officials are expressing deep concern following the tragic passing of a four-year-old child in the Nunavik village of Ivujivik amid allegations that the youngster was denied necessary medical care.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Québec Solidaire representative Sol Zanetti has demanded accountability regarding the demise of Jusi Padlayat, who reportedly passed away on August 3 after his parents sought medical attention for his stomach complaints multiple times at the local clinic, where he allegedly did not receive treatment.
According to an interview with La Presse, Padlayat’s grandmother, Annie Mangiuk, disclosed that the family’s pleas were dismissed by healthcare personnel, instructing them to administer over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Tylenol to the child. Mangiuk recounted that Padlayat was discovered unconscious on August 1, taken to the local nursing station, and then transferred to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, where he tragically succumbed two days later.
Zanetti condemned the prolonged suffering of a child as unacceptable, urging a thorough examination to determine if systemic racism within the healthcare system played a role and to take appropriate measures if so. Additionally, he called for an investigation into Padlayat’s passing by the Commissioner of Children’s Rights and Welfare.
The Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) has also advocated for enhancements to healthcare services in northern regions, proposing increased telemedicine options as a viable solution to address gaps in care accessibility.
In a separate statement, the Joyce’s Principle Office emphasized that Padlayat’s death underscores the critical need for attentiveness and action in delivering services to Indigenous populations, referencing the tragic incident involving Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman who faced derogatory remarks from hospital staff in Joliette, Quebec, while in distress.
The Inuulitsivik Health Centre and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services have confirmed both internal and external reviews will be conducted in response to the incident. Quebec’s coroners office is also conducting an investigation into the matter, although specifics regarding the causes and circumstances surrounding the child’s demise remain undisclosed. The Montreal Children’s Hospital has refrained from commenting on individual cases.