N.W.T. orders review of Hugh Papik case after niece says stroke victim was treated as drunk

The Northwest Territories government now says it will launch an external investigation into the care of an Aklavik elder who had a massive stroke, but whose niece says that community health centre staff had mistaken him for being drunk.

Hugh Papik, 68, later died from the effects of the stroke.

• Inuvialuit woman says uncle's stroke mistaken for drunkenness

Maggie Papiksaid that when her unclewas found earlier this monthon the floor of his room at an elder's home, staffsaid he was drunk. Papikbrought him to the Aklavik Health Centre, where nurses told her the same thing, she says.He wasn'tmedevackedtoInuvikfor six hours.

Doctors later told her that her uncle had had a massive stroke and was brain dead.

The N.W.T. Department of Health and Social Services initially toldCBC News that ithad looked into the matter and wasconfident that "appropriate clinical practices were followed."

Late Tuesday,Health Minister GlenAbernethyannouncedthere willbe an outside investigation.

Abernethysaidhe is deeply concerned about the accusations of the care the elderreceived.

MaggiePapiksaidshe is happy there will be an investigation, but that she'sdisappointedsomething like this had to happen before any changes are made.

There is no word yet on who will conductthe external review or when it will begin.