Addressing Medical Licensure Barriers to Improve Healthcare Access in Nunavut

Abstract

Nunavut is the largest and least inhabited territory in Canada. While people often marvel at Nunavut’s natural beauty, we tend to overlook the stark healthcare realities faced by its inhabitants. One major challenge in Nunavut is achieving equitable access to healthcare. Medical transportation is widely normalized, and Nunavut residents are often forced to travel thousands of kilometers for treatment. The financial and human burdens of medical transportation are unjustifiable. This paper explores alternative solutions to healthcare sovereignty in northern Canada. Virtual care and recurrent locum physicians are methods that can bring care closer to Nunavut communities.