Death of pregnant woman and her baby prompts call for Saskatchewan rural health changes
The NDP says the case of Chelsea Bear, a mom pregnant with twins who died with one of the babies after seeking care in Meadow Lake, was failed by the rural health-care system.
The death of Chelsea Bear and her unborn twins in Saskatchewan has sparked calls for improved rural health care services. Opposition leader Carla Beck alleges that the 36-week pregnant Bear, a mother of five, was turned away from the Northwest Health Facility in Meadow Lake due to a lack of available maternal care. Bear returned to the hospital the next day, but her condition worsened, leading to a hemorrhage when her placenta tore.
Her surviving twin, Gracie, remains in critical condition. The tribal council has backed the family's request for an independent investigation into the care Bear received. Saskatchewan's NDP has also issued a news release, urging the government to conduct a full investigation and release findings, including recommendations for improvement.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill's statement emphasized maternal care and access to high-quality health care services as priorities, while acknowledging a patient safety review is underway. The Indigenous community has expressed concern over the lack of transparency and addressing the family's needs. This is the second Indigenous woman to die during childbirth in Saskatchewan this year, following another case in April involving Jaali Weenie-Sutherland.
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