Outcry continues after Manitoba First Nation man allegedly has wrong leg amputated at Winnipeg hospital

Calls for an investigation are growing after a Manitoba First Nation man woke up from surgery at a Winnipeg hospital two weeks ago to allegedly find the wrong leg had been amputated.

Jason Kennedy, 48, of Bloodvein First Nation, was supposed to have his right leg amputated due to a bone infection at Grace Hospital on Oct. 31.

The former commercial fisher awoke to find his left leg, below the knee, had been amputated instead.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says it is “deeply concerned” and is calling for a full investigation into what happened. The AMC, which is asking to be part of the review process, says systemic issues lead to preventable errors and contribute to inequities in health-care services for First Nations people.

“We need to ensure that First Nations are fully represented in the review of this incident and that meaningful steps are taken to prevent such errors from occurring again,” the AMC said.

The AMC is calling on the Manitoba government to implement cultural competency and anti-racism training for health-care providers.

“We cannot continue to accept incidents like this as a ‘one off’ or a simple mistake that is fixed with a simple apology to the patient,” said AMC Acting Grand Chief Kennedy in a statement.

“First Nations patients are not meant to be system learning opportunities.”

In a statement Tuesday, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) called the incident a “disturbing and nightmarish mistake” and said it was an example of “inequity and systemic shortcomings” in the delivery of health care for First Nations people.

Bloodvein First Nation is roughly 280 kilometres north of Winnipeg, on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.