After 2 years, cooling system in Nain morgue now fixed, but MHA questions why repairs took so long

After being broken for two years, a Labrador morgue's cooling system has finally been fixed, but the MHA for the area wants to know why it took so long to get the work done.

Earlier this month, CBC News reported that the cooling system in Nain'smorgue was broken and staff were left to attempt to control the morgue's temperature with a small, window-mounted air conditioner.

Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans said it was a relief to hear the cooling system has since been repaired.

"I'm glad it's finally fixed because it's very troubling to families but also to the nursing staff. This should not have happened for so long," Evanstold CBC News.

She said she believesthe long-standing problem was a sign of a lack of consideration for Labrador'sdead as well as their families.

Evanspointed out that there had been problems with the morgue for two years, but action only happened when Evans spoke to media.

"They made sure it was fixed and they did it the Thursday after it went public. But how many Thursdays do we have in two years?"

In an earlier interview, Evans said staff entering the morgue had to hold their noses because of the smell coming from the bodies,a detail she described as upsetting.

Apology a welcome surprise: Evans

After CBC News published the initial story, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services interim CEO Karen Stone apologized to the people of Nain,promising that the cooling system would be fixed soon.

"We're really sorry about that. And we will do better," Stone said in a previous interview.

WATCH | The morgue may be properly cooled, but trust remains low, says MHA:

MHA Lela Evans says mistrust lingers for Labrador residents after Nain morgue debacle

12 days ago

Duration 0:48

MHA Lela Evans says while the morgue in Nain is now repaired, it took two years for that to become a reality and people feel disrespected.

Evans said she was surprised to hear an apology, but added it was a good surprise, and hopes the accountability indicatesthat the health authority, under Stone's leadership, will addresswhat Evans says are substantialbarriers to health care in Labrador.

On Thursday, PC Leader Tony Wakeham's office announced Evans would be the party's critic on Labrador affairs, as well as Indigenous affairs and reconciliation, environment and climate change, and labour.

Evans is also concernedthe broken cooling system mayhavenegativelyimpacted families who wanted to get answersfortheir loved ones' cause of death through an autopsy aninvestigation that could be compromised if the bodies are allowed to decompose.

"I always worry if the bodies of our loved ones are not handled with care, some of that will be impacted. So we need to make sure that we have the same access to the services that the rest of the province has," she said.

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