'Disrespectful' failure to fix Nain morgue a symptom of systemic racism, says Labrador MHA
An access-to-information request reveals complaints that "morgue was blowing hot air" in April 2023
It took Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services 18 months to fix Nain's morgue even though health officials were emailed repeatedly — and with growing urgency — that the community had nowhere to respectfully keep its deceased loved ones.
An access-to-information request filed by CBC News shows health authority officials were told in April 2023, that the morgue's cooling system was "blowing hot air."
The bodies of Nain's loved ones deteriorated in the morgue as the problem persisted.
The morgue was repaired on Oct. 4, just days after Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans spoke with CBC News about it.
"I think there are systemic issues in the Labrador-Grenfell health region. I think there are systemic issues where there isn't respect for the people of northern Labrador to the point where I actually believe it's systemic racism," said Evans after reading the emails CBC News received.
By June 2023, the morgue was a topic at the Nain Community Clinic's occupational health and safety committee meetings.
Emails and meeting agendas repeat "morgue still blowing hot air."
Evans was reluctant to explain how the failure of the cooling system had become an occupational hazard for people working in the clinic out of concern for people in the Nain with loved ones in the morgue.
"What we're hearing is that when staff goes in they have to hold their nose because of the buildup of smell coming off the people who've passed away. For me … that is very upsetting," she said.
"Also, for our nurses, it was very disrespectful to have them go through that."
Emails continued until late that fall, but then, in late October 2023, the paper trail went cold until Evans spoke with CBC News almost a year later.
The next document about the Nain morgue, dated Oct. 1, 2024, includes a draft response to CBC's request for an interview with NLHS about concerns raised by Evans.
"Respect and dignity for the remains of individuals who have passed is a priority for N.L. Health Services," it says. "A complete repair of the cooler for the morgue is scheduled to be completed this week."
The acting CEO of NLHS, Karen Stone, apologized for the delay and promised to "do better."
But, for Evans, the Nain morgue is only one of many problems.
"It's a symbol of the way we're treated. People in Nain are shocked because it's so disrespectful but they also know that this is not the only situation where we're being failed," she said.
"And if this is the way they treat our loved ones, who are deceased, what can we expect for the living? We see that even today. I'm dealing with patients who are trying to get back to their homes from their medical appointments after being stuck for over a week. There's so many issues that are falling on deaf ears. So for me, I don't know if things will improve."
WATCH | MHA says Liberal government shouldn't have to be publicly shamed into fixing problems:
CBC News asked NLHS for an interview after receiving the results of the access-to-information request. Health authority official Jeanette O'Keefe responded with an emailed statement.
"Respect and dignity for the remains of individuals who have passed is of the utmost priority for N.L. Health Services. Repairs to the cooling unit of the morgue in Nain were completed on Friday, Oct. 4 and the unit is now operational," the statement reads.
"There were some challenges with getting parts to Nain for the technician to complete the work and we sincerely apologize to all those involved for the delays in having the issue resolved. We are committed to doing better."
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