The Legault government announced in May an injection of $ 15 million to develop clinics in the Native Friendship Centers of Quebec, in order to improve the cultural security of users.
This announcement was received with optimism in Senneterre, where leaders of the Senneterre Friendship Center have been working on a project for almost three years. The future clinic would provide medical follow-up, diabetes prevention and screening, and perhaps even dialysis services.
The success of the clinic in Val-d’Or opens up a great opportunity for us, says Nancy Brunelle, service coordinator at the Senneterre Native Friendship Center. We know that many Aboriginal people in our community do not have a family doctor or even a health insurance card. They don’t feel good about the public health services. To be able to welcome them here and work upstream of health problems, it will be wonderful for our members.
Long involved with the Aboriginal population of Senneterre, Louis Bordeleau and Rebecca Moore have heard many stories of discrimination in connection with health services.
Louis Bordeleau and Rebecca Moore have long been involved with the Aboriginal population of Senneterre.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marc-André Landry
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It must be said, it has happened that people do not feel treated like the others, confirms Louis Bordeleau. The Viens Commission has exposed glaring cases. Many people go backwards and their health deteriorates. The clinic would be an important step forward. It will bring a feeling of belonging to know that we will meet people who know us. Confidence will settle in many who neglect their health.
Language is also an issue for many people, adds Rebecca Moore. It’s not easy when you just speak the Atikamekw or Cree language and are asked questions by a nurse or a doctor. Sometimes they don’t believe us that we don’t understand it. Better adapted services are needed.
Resident of Senneterre, Marianne Miasnscum says she often encountered problems during her visits to the health center.
Marianne Mianscum says she has often experienced discrimination during her contacts with the health network.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marc-André Landry
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A suitable clinic for us would surely be a good thing, she says. I made my report to the Viens Commission to explain the discrimination I experienced. I was told that I was going to be understood and that things were going to change. I haven’t seen much change, on the contrary. I know I am not alone. Several people tell me that they are not tempted to go, even if they should.
While the Aboriginal clinic project is creating enthusiasm in Senneterre, it does not alleviate the anxiety that this population has been experiencing since the emergency closed overnight.
Often, the sores go out in the evening and many of our members do not have a car and do not have the means to take taxis, emphasizes Nancy Brunelle. We would obviously like it to be resolved as quickly as possible. But at the same time, we must continue to advance the clinical project. It’s a good time to take the boat. The health problems are there, solutions must be found so that it does not worsen.
The future Senneterre Friendship Center clinic would be housed in the old Sobeys building on 10th Avenue. As in Val-d’Or, we hope to be able to count on the services of a nurse and a doctor to ensure patient follow-up.
The Friendship Center wants to transform the former Sobeys building to house its future medical clinic.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marc-André Landry
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The issue of the lack of nursing manpower could delay the deployment of the clinic. A meeting held Thursday with the authorities of the CISSS-AT, however, reassured the Friendship Center, which will be able to take a first step with the hiring of a service navigator.
It is a person who will accompany people who go on dialysis or who are hospitalized, to lower their fears. We know that we can’t have a nurse right away, but maybe we can start in the coming months in a room where we will have services a few hours a week. It’s an interesting start
, concludes the coordinator.
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