Health Services
The Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services provides a broad range of programs and services in the following areas:
- Primary Health Care
- Home, Community and Long Term Care
- Mental Health and Addictions Care
- Health Promotion and Health Protection
- Acute, Restorative Rehabilitation and Surgical Care
The department is continually seeking new and innovative ways to deliver health care across Nunavut’s large and diverse territory. Telehealth is an example of innovative technology that links remote communities with a wide range of health and social programs and services through videoconferencing with healthcare providers located both within and outside of the territory.
The department works with the federal government, the hamlets, and non-governmental organizations to administer programs such as Brighter Futures which strives to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of Nunavummiut. The Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program provides financial assistance to community-based organizations which offer programs and services for at-risk pregnant women. There are active groups within the department working on issues such as smoking cessation, FASD, suicide prevention, mental and dental health. Health promotion professionals, such as nutritionists and public health nurses, work in communities to promote health and well-being through education and skills sharing.
Mission
To promote, protect and enhance the health and well-being of all Nunavummiut, incorporating Inquit Qaujimajatugangit at all levels of service design and delivery.
Vision
We envision the well-being of all Nunavummiut, with individuals leading productive lives in self-reliant and healthy communities throughout the territory.
Nunavut Health provides a wide range of programs and services to the residents of Nunavut, including:
- Oral Health
- Immunization
- Communicable Disease
- Environmental Health
- Chronic Disease
- Health promotion & protection
- Laboratory services
- Diagnostic imaging services
- Pharmacy services
- Child and family health services
- Nutrition & dietitian services
- Rehabilitation therapy services
- Home support & care services
- Social work services
- Public health services
- Birthing services
- Community health clinical services
- Disease prevention
- Audiology & speech language pathology
- Specialty services
- Environmental health services
- Palliative care
- Referral services
- Respite care
- Urgent & emergency care services
- Medivac services
- Acute inpatient & outpatient services
Services and programs are delivered in diverse locations throughout the communities of Nunavut: in clinics, in client homes, outpost camps, community and regional health centres and at the Qikiqtani Hospital, in Iqaluit.