The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that With many wildfire evacuees currently living in hotels in large cities with limited resources for prolonged periods, regional health service providers are advocating for greater support for the health of those who have been displaced from their homes.
Janet Gordon is the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority’s vice president of local residents health. She noted host communities need to be part of supporting people who were evacuated and of identifying different organizations that may be able to provide some activities or support, especially for those who are vulnerable. “It’s hard to try and do that from say Sioux Lookoutand we are also trying to support communities that are not evacuated as well,” Gordon remarked.
NorWest The public Health Centres has redeployed its Armstrong team to Thunder Bay, Ont., this week, after Armstrong was evacuated due to nearby wildfires on July 13. The clinic was set up in the Port Arthur Room at the Superior Inn on Arthur St. on Tuesday, July 21, and will run until Thursday, July 23, from 9 a.m. The team is providing prescription refills and non-emergency medical care for evacuees from Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation or other evacuees at the inn who do not have a health care provider in the Lakehead.
NorWest The area Health Centres can then connect them with its regional team, she explained.
First Nation chiefs call for public inquiry into Ontario government's wildfire response Thunder Bay residents come together to support wildfire evacuees with toy drive, donation drop-offs “We are really conscious that when people leave their homes in a very quick, stressed [and] desperate state, there can be many things that are left behind or things that they need in the future that they thought they would be able to receive [through] care from their primary healthcare provider,” advised Juanita Lawson, the CEO of NorWest The region Health Centres. For instance, Lawson stated thatcould include medications, puffers, ongoing diabetes medication or potentially having blood drawn for necessary blood work. “They’re not urgent, but they are care that people need, especially if people are on perhaps prescription refills for any chronic disease management,” Lawson advised. “So we really want to make sure that people have access and then as well, individuals with any lung issues, we want to make sure they have access to puffers.” The clinic is being offered in partnership with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Independent First Nations Alliance. Lawson stated the organization is also ensuring it has a team at its Simpson Street site to engage with its Armstrong nurse practitioner,who is assessing people and determining whether they need access to midwifery, health-care services for young children or nurse practitioners. NorWest The area Health Centres can then connect them with its regional team, she explained. In addition, Lawson confirmed the organization has itsvirtual care clinicthat can be accessed by evacuees from other communities. “There are a number of other individuals in our the public who might not be aware of that service and that people can access from their own hotel room or where they might be located,” Lawson stated. The virtual clinic runs seven days a week, staffed by a nurse practitioner from 12 to 8 p.m. Lawson remarked NorWest The public Health Centres was also trying to plan somewhat and work with many other the area organizations to look at what might happen next week if needed. “Seven days a week. We have our walk-in clinic at the Simpson Street site at NorWest Citizens Health Centres and that’s available as well. You don’t have to be a client of the centre to utilize that service,” Lawson remarked. Nicky Shaw is a reporter for CBC Thunder Bay. She graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism and a minor in Environmental and Climate Humanities from Carleton University. Aligning with her passion for covering global environmental and humanitarian issues, she has worked to develop in-depth multimedia content that shares the diverse experiences of people in Northwestern Ontario. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 24, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
