Home / Health / North's Medical Care: A Long, Lonely Journey
North's Medical Care: A Long, Lonely Journey
1 Dec
Summary
- Northerners travel thousands of kilometers for essential medical treatments.
- Families face profound loneliness and financial strain away from home.
- Goba Care provides vital support for northern patients in Edmonton.
For residents of the North, accessing essential medical care often necessitates a challenging journey far from home. Meghan Ipana and James Howard exemplify the profound personal sacrifices made, relocating to Edmonton from Inuvik and Cambridge Bay due to serious health conditions. Ipana's daughter required a liver transplant, while Howard battles multiple myeloma, both facing prolonged stays and the emotional strain of separation from loved ones and familiar life.
Their experiences highlight the deep loneliness and overwhelming exhaustion that accompany long-term medical travel. Howard expresses the heartbreak of being unable to return to his home in Cambridge Bay due to inadequate support systems. The article also touches upon the complexities of securing escorts for medical travel, with second escorts often approved only in exceptional circumstances, forcing difficult choices for patients and their families.
Amidst these struggles, organizations like Goba Care emerge as beacons of hope. Founded by Melinda Laboucan, this non-profit offers extensive support to over 1,800 northern residents in Edmonton. Services range from practical assistance with finances and planning to crucial emotional and cultural connection, providing a vital sense of comfort and community for those navigating difficult medical journeys.
