Residents of the 30 Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) communities in Northern Manitoba will soon have access to easy-to-use and potentially lifesaving equipment for people suffering heart attacks thanks to a partnership between the provincial government, private enterprise and MKO.
Seventy-three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) will be shipped to the MKO First Nations by Calm Air and Perimeter Aviation. The AEDs, which deliver an electric shock to restart a stopped heart and can detect an irregular heart rhythm that indicates potential cardiac arrest, are among 1,000 that the provincial government provided $1.3 million to purchase last year. The devices, which come with step-by-step instructions so no training is necessary, are distributed to non-profit and community-owned facilities throughout the province by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
"These life saving medical devices are a direct result of MKO, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors, and Health Canada coming together to pro-actively improve health services in our communities," said MKO Grand Chief David Harper in a press release. "Moving forward, we are able to save lives where historically no life saving devices existed, ensuring that our loved ones are afforded equal access to life saving medical devices."
"AEDs are a critical resource for every community and a long-term investment in health and wellness. Following a cardiac arrest, we know every minute counts. These new defibrillators ensure more Manitobans have access to immediate intervention," said provincial Health Minister Erin Selby, who announced the provision of the equipment to MKO communities along with Harper and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson June 3.
"Heart health and cardiac disease are important issues for all Manitobans including First Nations people and we appreciate MKO's leadership in this area," said Minister Robinson. "I look forward to seeing the distinctive AED signage in community places across Northern Manitoba."
Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), which owns Perimeter Aviation and Calm Air, will absorb the cost of shipping the equipment to the northern communities, said EIC president and CEO Mike Pyle. "EIC is dedicated to building partnerships with the First Nation communities we service."
""The placement of AEDs in Manitoba's northern communities is a great step toward creating a heart-safe environment and we fully support and thank the Manitoba government for providing funds for this important public safety initiative," said Debbie Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, who joined Harper and the ministers for the announcement in Winnipeg."Far too many Manitobans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest and immediate access to defibrillation means more lives can be saved in the province."
Manitoba's Defibrillator Public Access Act, proclaimed Jan. 1, 2013, requires the installation of AED's in high-traffic public places like gyms, arenas, community centres, golf courses, schools and airports. There are currently 2,875 AEDs registered in public places across Manitoba, according to the provincial government.
"This partnership today with both levels of government and private sector is a step in the right direction to improve access to medical services in our MKO First Nations," said Harper. "Furthermore, MKO supports the Province's goal of ensuring every Manitoban will have access to a family doctor by 2015, and we will continue to promote strategies to ensure this goal is met by all parties involved."
A full list of public places required to have a defibrillator and information about the types of AEDs that are acceptable, as well as instructions for their installation and registration, is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/aed/.
