WAHIFA

This acronym stands for the Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement.

It merged two hospitals (Weeneebayko General Hospital & James Bay General Hospital) into one known as the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority ("WAHA").

WAHA was formed on October 1, 2010. Its first CEO was Mr. Jim Harold. Its first Chief of Staff was Dr. Marlyn Cook.

The purpose of the WAHIFA was 5 fold:

1. To better coordinate federal (Health Canada) and provincial (Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care) health programs.

2. To increase local control by the First Nations people in the planning, management and delivery of services throughout a vast swath of land located along the western shore of James Bay known as the Mushkegowuk Territory.

3. To ensure the health care delivered to the First Nations patient population is culturally appropriate. In

4. To improve efficiency through elimination of duplication and improved allocation of services be they physicians, nurses, allied health care professionals, buildings, equipment and supplies.

5. To agree to the funding of a new hospital with the province footing 55 percent of the funding cost and the feds 45 percent.

The WAHIFA had 7 signatories:

1. The Minister of Health Canada, Mr. Tony Clemente.

2. The Minister of the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care Mr. George Smitherman.

3. The Chief of Weenusk First Nation Mr. George Hunter.

4. The Chief of Attawapiskat First Nation Ms. Theresa Hall.

5. The Chief of Kashchewan First Nation Mr. Jonathon Solomon.

6. The Chief of Fort Albany First Nation Mr. Andrew Solomon.

7. Chief of MoCrebec Non-Profit Development Corporation Mr. Clifford Trapper.

Moose Cree First Nation did not sign the WAHIFA as they felt that they would lose Treaty Rights promised to them by the federal government.

The Agreement is to be reviewed every 5 years by all signatories.

There is an Addendum to the WAHIFA that spoke to family physician core services. These included;

1. To staff an emergency department 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

2. To provide in-patient care to the hospitalized patients in the Moose Factory, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat sites. ,

3. To provide low-risk obstetrical services.

4. To provide coastal community visits as follows:

   - Moosonee 21 days per month,

   - Fort Albany 16 days per month,

   - Kashechewan 20 days per month,

   - Attawapiskat 24 days per month, and

   - Peawanuck 6 days per month.

5. To operate the WAHA as spelled out in the By-Laws.

Dr. John Waddell