A group of protestors recently gathered outside the Legislative Assembly to demand improvements to the Territory’s medical system.
The protest began around 1:00 on Monday, July 8th, and while there was only a few members in attendance in the initial moments, they still brought with them a sense of determination for their strongly held concerns.
Faith Embleton, one of the organizers of the protest, shared her feelings on the matter.
“We are protesting the healthcare system here in the NWT. It’s unfriendly from the first phone call you make until you go and get your diagnostic, bloodwork, or even get a doctor’s appointment. It’s been cut back so far that it’s uncomfortable and I think it’s ridiculously unfriendly and useless at this point.
(Photo by Connor Pitre/True North FM Staff)
“By the time people get their appointment, they’re either two things: better from what they were getting the appointment for, or more sick, and that’s putting it very simply.”
A focal point of the protestor’s grievances was on how they feel that the healthcare system would take up much of their time in simply getting to where a patient needs to go, only to be roadblocked by unexpected and poorly explained red tape.
(Photo by Connor Pitre/True North FM Staff)
“I think the whole system is geared towards putting you off from making appointments.”
The protestors will continue to appear at the Legislative Assembly for the foreseeable future.
