Home / Health / Manitoba Health Region CEO Resigns Amidst Challenges
Manitoba Health Region CEO Resigns Amidst Challenges
8 Jan
Summary
- Northern Health Region CEO Raj Sewda is stepping down, effective this month.
- The region faced challenges including safety incidents and racism allegations.
- Acting CEO Cam Ritzer, previously VP of health services, is taking over.
Raj Sewda, the Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba's Northern Health Region (NHR), will be stepping down from his position later this month. His resignation was announced internally on January 2nd and publicly confirmed on January 6th, with the region's board of directors accepting his departure without specifying a reason or exact date.
Sewda’s tenure, which began in March 2023, included overseeing the NHR's response to last summer's significant wildfire events, which led to the evacuation of facilities and long-term care residents. Despite no major service reductions or facility closures under his leadership, the region has grappled with serious issues. Thompson General Hospital was 'grey-listed' by the Manitoba Nurses Union in December due to safety incidents, including a firearm incident and a patient stabbing.
Furthermore, long-standing service disruptions, such as the closure of obstetrics care at Flin Flon General Hospital in 2018, remain unresolved. The region has also faced accusations of racism in healthcare, including a lawsuit filed in 2024 alleging discriminatory treatment. Cam Ritzer, previously the NHR's vice-president of health services, is now serving as the acting CEO.
