Canada's Indigenous population struggle against COVID-19 without equal public healthcare

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada continues to surge, the Indigenous communities in the country are bracing themselves for the worst. Exposed to the pandemic, the country's First Nations fear that the virus will expand beyond the urban sectors to the rural and remote locations of the country. However, the greater fear among the First Nations and remote Indigenous communities is the lack of medical care and proper infrastructural facilities. As per reports, there are over 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the First Nations reserves. Most of these cases are confined to communities in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

With the increasing number of cases, the Indigenous communities have already blocked entries to non-residents and erected barriers and checkpoints. However, there are mounting concerns about the lack of access to COVID-19 testing and other medical facilities.

According to Minister of Indigenous Services in Canada, Marc Miller, Indigenous communities are highly vulnerable to the disease due to unsanitary conditions they are living in and lack of health facilities. There are inadequate healthcare resources and supplies including personal protective equipment (PPEs), test swabs, and medical professionals to fight the pandemic. Houses of communities such as Eagle Lake, Eabametoong (Fort Hope), and Lac Seul are poorly-constructed, crowded, without safe drinking water, which raises alarming concerns about their safety amid the global pandemic.

Furthermore, Canada's Indigenous populations are highly vulnerable to chronic illness and have a lower life expectancy as compared to the national averages. Even though, Canada's public healthcare system is one of the best in the world, the distribution of facilities is not parallel to all communities in the country.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has announced that the federal government will provide $306.8 million as financial aid to the businesses of the Indigenous communities that have been impacted by the economic ramifications of the pandemic. In addition to this, the government had announced $305 million aid to prepare the country's First Nations communities in the fight against the novel Coronavirus disease.

British Columbia (BC) has announced a collaborative framework for the safety of people living in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in the province. This plan will provide the Indigenous communities access to better health care during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

While the Canadian government has introduced an array of relief measures, there is still much more needed to be done for the protection of the First Nations communities.

Comments

1 Saudi Move & Impact On West Asian Geopolitics

As one of the most influential players in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's actions have far-reaching consequences for West Asian geopolitics. In recent years, we've seen several moves from this powerful nation that are shaking up traditional power dynamics and creating new alliances. From its diplomatic spat with Qatar to its growing relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia is making bold moves that could change the face of West Asia as we know it. Join us as we dive into the geopolitical implications of Saudi Arabia's latest actions and explore what they mean for the future of this critical region. Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force in the Middle East, wielding its oil wealth and religious influence to shape regional politics. Its alliance with the United States has given it even greater sway on the global stage, making it a key player in shaping West Asian geopolitics. However, Saudi Arabia's role in the region is not without controversy. Its support for conse...

Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.

According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident , there have been widespread protests in Paris. The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris. A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured. All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre. Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency. In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police use...

Newsaholic

Search This Blog